Thousands of supporters of former deputy president Jacob Zuma and protesters from the KwaZulu-Natal Transport Alliance merged outside the Durban City Hall on Wednesday.
One part of the crowd was shouting pro-Zuma slogans and singing. The other was singing about taxi concerns including the recapitalisation of the industry.
Leaders from both groups and the police were speaking to each other frantically outside the doors of the hall trying to resolve the issue of which group had the right to protest in the area.
Shop owners locked their doors as a precaution and there was a large police contingent keeping watch.
There were also armoured police vehicles and officers set up a barricade to prevent more marchers from entering the area.
Traffic in the area was brought to a standstill. Asked how many people were protesting a policeman on the scene said: ”I don’t know. Many thousands.”
Zuma’s supporters held a banner reading: ”Where is Winnie [Madikizela-Mandela] Where is Chris Hani? Where is JZ [Jacob Zuma]? Who is next to [President] Thabo Mbeki?”
Many of the taxi protesters were carrying traditional weapons including shields and knobkerries.
The taxi protesters want to hand over a memorandum at the city hall on their grievances about the government’s taxi recapitalisation plan and the alleged harassment of taxi drivers by the metro police.
Zuma’s supporters took to the streets after he made his first appearance in court in two charges of corruption.
Sammy Mashita, the provincial chairperson of the SA Students Congress, which was participating in the Zuma march, said it was a coincidence that the two groups had met at the city hall.
”Our march was not planned. The people became angry outside the court house and decided to march to city hall.”
Mashita said many of the taxi drivers were supporters of Zuma.
”It’s up to them whether they want to stay or not after they hand over their memorandum.”
An elderly taxi driver, who did not want to be named said: ”Yes, yes I support Zuma. But I’m also here to march as a taxi driver.” – Sapa