South Africa: Protests planned in Pretoria and Johannesburg August 8 /update 1

Event

The US State Department warned that political demonstrations are planned in Pretoria and Johannesburg on Tuesday, August 8. Participants are expected to gather at Church Square in Pretoria at 10:00 (local time) and then march to the Union Buildings. In Johannesburg, protesters are rallying in Joubert Park before moving to the Gauteng Premier’s office, also at 10:00. Additional demonstrations may occur in other major cities between 12:00 and 14:00. Expect increased security measures and localized traffic disruptions in both cities. 

Context

These demonstrations are taking place on the same day that the legislature will hold a no-confidence vote for President Jacob Zuma. Pro- and anti-Zuma supporters are planning to hold protests in Cape Town on August 8, with two competing groups marching in the city center. A group called the Multi-Party Notice, reportedly composed of 12 opposition parties, will march from Keizersgracht, starting at 09:30 (local time), to the Parliament. The Western Cape ANC's Dullah Omar region, a known stronghold for President Zuma in the province, will hold its own demonstration from the Grand Parade to the Parliament starting at 09:00 (local time); An estimated 15,000 participants are expected to attend the event

Zuma has been pressured to resign by the ANC. On May 27, opponents proposed a motion of no confidence against Zuma at an ANC party meeting. Many in the party allegedly attribute the ANC's poor performance in local elections to scandals surrounding Zuma.

The ANC has been South Africa's ruling party since 1994. Zuma has survived a previous attempt to oust him at an ANC meeting in November 2016, however unease over Zuma has grown after he fired Pravin Gordhan, the former finance minister, in a cabinet reshuffle in March 2017.  It will be the seventh motion against Zuma, mostly attributed to scandals surrounding Zuma and a general discontent regarding prevailing corruption, inequality, unemployment, high crime rate, poor handling of the current economic crisis, etc.

Advice

Individuals in South Africa are advised to monitor the situation, to anticipate potential transportation disruptions, and to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence.