Protesters from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have gathered outside the Gauteng legislature where the Premier David Makhura is delivering his State of the Province Address.
The parties are protesting against corruption and wasteful expenditure.
They’re also demanding accountability for the Life Esidimeni tragedy.
Protesters representing @ourda and the @EFFSouthAfrica sing and dance side by side outside the #GautengLegislature. They say they are at the #SOPAGP to demand change in government and accountability for #LifeEsidemeni. #SOPA2018 #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/3K1X299NTh
— Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) February 26, 2018
Natasha Swartbooi is a DA activist and committee member from Ward 65.
She says, “We are here to stand with our messages and our messages are clear. Change is coming and the message is clear that people must account for life Esidimeni. Our people have died in a horrific manner and people must account,” says Swartbooi.
“And we’re here today to hear what (Premier) David Makhura has to say – and we hope he says good things. But we cannot count on that because this government has proved to us that they cover up and they stand together, and corruption is what this government is currently standing for,” she adds.
“We’re here with the EFF. We believe they fight for a similar cause as us. We are here to fight for our people, we are outraged against the life Esidimeni tragedy, we are outraged against the stealing of our budget and we stand for the same cause,” explains Swartbooi.