S. African government calls for calm amid massive anti-Zuma march

The South African government on Wednesday called for peace and calm as thousands of people took to the streets in Pretoria to demand the resignation of President Jacob Zuma.

The government has noted the marches by members of the public, civic organizations and some political parties currently underway in Pretoria, said Donald Liphoko, Acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The government calls on marchers to respect the rule of law and the paramountcy of the Constitution in guiding all public participation and active citizenship, he said.

The march took place as the High Court in Pretoria was hearing arguments over whether a report into "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family should be released to the public.

The report relates to allegations that the wealthy Gupta family, which keeps close relations with Zuma and his family, meddled in politics by influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned enterprises.

Zuma launched a court bid to block the release of the report. But in an about-turn on Wednesday, his legal team announced the withdrawal of the interdict, without giving any reason.

On Wednesday, hundreds of anti-Zuma protesters gathered outside the court vowing to protect the Constitution and calling for Zuma to resign.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema urged supporters to occupy the streets of Pretoria to let their voices heard. Thousands of people have answered his call.

Tension was running high as protesters were confronted by police.

Liphoko raised "serious concern" over utterances attributed to some political leaders to occupy the city centre of Pretoria.

The various voices and actions are reflective of a democratic and progressive society, and citizens have the right to march and voice their opinion, however it must be done peacefully, Liphoko said.

"No person should be coerced against their will. It is the responsibility of each citizen to play their part in protecting our hard-earned democracy," he said.

While every person has the right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution, the government encourages all people to protest within the confines of the law, and not destroy or damage property or infrastructure during their actions, Liphoko said.

He said the Security Cluster remains operationally ready to police all planned protest actions to ensure that they remain peaceful, and that the democratic rights of others are not trampled upon in the process. Endit