Congolese seeks action over Kabila
120216-Cape Town-The Congolese community in Cape Town handed over a Memo to Parliment,about the 2011 Elections in the Congo.pic.Brandon van der mescht.reporter.Natasha Prince 120216-Cape Town-The Congolese community in Cape Town handed over a Memo to Parliment,about the 2011 Elections in the Congo.pic.Brandon van der mescht.reporter.Natasha Prince
The Congolese community in Cape Town took to the streets on Thursday in protest over President Jacob Zuma’s stance in supporting Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila, and to call on the government to not recognise his presidency.
On Thursday, city-based supporters of Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi took a stand against their country’s elections, marching through the streets in solidarity with Congolese refugees living elsewhere.
They have vowed to continue to protest against the outcome of the country’s most recent presidential election until Kabila’s victory is annulled.
About 200 Congolese nationals headed from Kaizergracht Street, along Buitenkant and Roeland streets, to hand over a memorandum at Parliament.
The marchers attracted the attention of onlookers as they displayed cardboard signs depicting graphic images of charred bodies and messages including “Kabila must go”, and “DRC 9 million dead during Kabila’s terms, he deserved to be in jail”.
The crowd sang songs and danced and waved DRC flags, while some wore red bands on their heads.
“I’m uploading these pictures on Facebook as the march is happening, so that people in other parts like Paris and Kinshasa can see what’s happening here in Cape Town,” said one marcher, Jean Kapitene.
While their march had a celebratory spirit, their message was a serious one.
The group handed out pamphlets with a picture of presidents Zuma and Kabila laughing and shaking hands.
In their memorandum, the Congolese community demanded that SA “formally and openly condemns the irregularities and the electoral violence, which are being intentionally organised in favour of the outgoing president”.
They also want the SA government to stop dealing with Ben M’poko – a Congolese ambassador to SA based in Pretoria – and that the country should recognise Tshisekedi.
Fatuma Fabu, who has lived in SA for 11 years, said she was very emotional about the DRC, because women suffering there were often victims of rape.
Barnabe Mandela, who has lived in SA for 10 years, said: “We are living in exile here to protect ourselves… If we try to march like this (in the DRC), they will shoot real bullets.”
natasha.prince@inl.co.za - Cape Argus