Demonstrators rally behind Zille and DA

By Tarryn Le Chat
26 October 2006

Hundreds of protestors were out in the streets of Cape Town, this morning. They were holding a peaceful march in support of Cape Town mayor, Helen Zille, and the Democratic Alliance.

Supporters of Zille believe the ANC is trying to seize power from the DA by stripping the mayor of her executive powers. They fear such a move would turn the mayor into a figure head.

The demonstrators needed a police escort as they marched from Tennant Street to Wale Street.
Zille’s team had organized buses so that people as far away as Mitchell’s Plain could attend the march.

The several hundred demonstrators sang songs and chanted ‘Viva DA viva!’ They also carried placards of the DA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), United Democratic Movement (UDM) and several other parties.

Moving down to Wale Street, the supporters shouted, down with Dyantyi! Down with the ANC! The crowd held strong saying he should be removed as MEC for housing and fired from local government.
Another slogan read ‘Zille in power is democracy’.
The march was a colourful one with people of all races and religions taking part.

Addressing the crowd in Wale Street, Zille said the ANC’s move is a ‘power grab’ to get back the City of Cape Town and is reminiscent of Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe.

DA leader Tony Leon said his party would fight not only for the citizens of Cape Town, but for democracy. Leon went on to say, “the question on everybody’s lips is, why only the Municipality of Cape Town? What about changing the other provinces as well and other municipalities in the Western Cape? And if the ANC should lose control of the country, will they try and do the same?”

Representatives of the other participating parties riled up the crowd with their speeches and their stance behind the DA to secure the Mayoral executive committee and democracy in Cape Town.