Alleged treason remarks "taken out of context": eThekwini
There's a social media frenzy over whether police are preparing to take action against anyone participating in protest marches against President Jacob Zuma tomorrow.
Listen to the full bulletin below.
This after a tweet by SABC news quoted eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede saying any protest action amounts to treason.
The SA Police Service has dismissed the comments while the municipality's mayoral spokesperson, Mthunzi Gumede, is denying that the mayor made the controversial comments on a national radio station.
A national shutdown is expected to take place across the country with marches planned by various civil organizations and opposition parties against Zuma.
National police spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo says police will be monitoring the marches.
"It's absolutely outrageous - you cannot tell people that they cannot march. The South African Police Service together with other security services will be out to ensure that all protest action taking place will be done in a peaceful manner. Every person to exercise their democratic right as in the Constitution of South Africa," he said.
ALSO READ: What you need to know about nation-wide marches
While the mayoral spokesperson says the mayor never said planned protests against President Jacob Zuma tomorrow will amount to treason. Gumede says the mayor's comments were taken out of context.
"Look, there is no such thing. The mayor was warning all groups that want to march - saying they must follow procedure. If they are not following procedure, there will be action. I've heard that clip and there's no mention of treason," he said.
The protests follows last week's shock cabinet reshuffle and the axing of several ministers, including Pravin Gordhan.
Head of News, Faith Daniels speaks about the alleged tweet on East Coast Breakfast. Listen below.