Documented misogynist defended by African National Congress
Hundreds of supporters of South African PresidentJacob Zuma have protested in Cape Town against criticisms of him byofficial opposition leader Helen Zille.
The demonstrators said they would no longer tolerate the Western Cape premier’s “anti-African behaviour”.
Theorganisers – veterans of the former military wing of the governingAfrican National Congress (ANC) – accused Ms Zille of calling Mr Zuma awomaniser.
The Democratic Alliance leader caused uproar with her recent remarks.
The BBC’s Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says almost 300 protesters turned up for the demonstration.
He says there was a militant mood as they gathered at the provincialparliament, warning they had the power to make the province”ungovernable”.
Clad in army fatigues and singing protestsongs, they demanded that Ms Zille apologise for her recent statementthat Mr Zuma had put his wives at risk of contracting HIV.
Ourreporter says they also want Ms Zille to change her all-male provincialcabinet, which has been called racist although it contains a blackperson and three people from the mixed-race coloured group.
Kebby Maphatsoe, chairman of the Military Veterans Association, had an ominous warning for the Democratic Alliance.
“ShouldZille not immediately cease her racist tendencies that bring pain toall military veterans of South Africa… the association will nothesitate to implement a militant programme of action to take back thestreets and our communities,” he said.