The 11m-high Nelson Mandela sculpture embraces the layout of the Union Buildings.
The Democratic Alliance has accused the ANC of putting politicians above ordinary people during the recent unrest in Tshwane following a report that police were told to protect minister’s homes in the city.
City Press reported on Sunday that while fiery protests raged in Tshwane this past week, police were told to focus on protecting the Union Buildings, ministers’ homes and national key points in the capital.
“While disgruntled ANC members torched buses, destroyed property and looted shops, it was instead politicians who were being protected,” DA mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, said in a statement on Sunday.
“It is disgraceful that protecting ministers’ homes was prioritised over protecting the residents of Tshwane, five of whom died in the violence that erupted as a result of the ANC’s decision to impose Thoko Didiza as mayoral candidate,” he said.
A new intelligence report has recounted how the country’s spies believe violence sparked by the ANC’s nominations process has placed free and fair elections at risk, the Sunday newspaper disclosed.
The report, presented to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster of ministers by Minister of State Security David Mahlobo on Tuesday, revealed the elections risked being “delegitimised” following violence and protests – associated with the nominations – that had ignited in 80 wards and towns across eight provinces.
At least five people died last week after violent protests erupted in parts of Tshwane. This was after the ANC announced Didiza as the city’s mayoral candidate for the local government elections on August 3.
Some residents said they wanted current mayor Kgosientso ‘Sputla’ Ramokgopa to be the candidate. – News24