Pretoria – Speaking at a protest against the vandalism of statues in the country, Freedom Front Plus MP Pieter Groenewald asked why President Jacob Zuma kept quiet while the EFF were burning down the country.
“President Zuma, why are you so quiet? Why are you fleeing from your responsibilities?” Groenewald said.
“It is your responsibility to ensure that we live together in peace in South Africa.
“The EFF is busy burning down South Africa and it was in no one’s interest.”
The FF Plus laid charges against the EFF after the latter admitted to being behind the defacing of the statue.
Afrikaners proud of their past – Groenewald
Earlier, controversial Afrikaans singer Sunette Bridges led the protest and addressed followers at the foot of the statue of Paul Kruger in Church Square, Pretoria.
This followed the vandalism of two bronze sentries with green paint on Monday.
Yellow police tape cordoned off the area around the statue.
Groenewald said Afrikaners were a group that was proud of its past.
“We say action should be taken against vandalism because we are here to build and we are here to stay,” Groenewald said.
“If we look at former president Paul Kruger, if there was one person who fought against imperialism and colonialism then it was him.”
If statues arent safe, are we?
Groenewald said there was a concerted effort to paint the Afrikaner history as demonic.
The protest saw Afrikaner political parties including the Front Nasionaal Party, the Boer Vrou Liga and the Freedom Front Plus gathering in Church Square.
Some of the protesters held placards reading “Hands off our heritage. This is genocide!” and “If colonial statues aren’t safe. Are we?”
Bridges followed through on a threat to chain herself to the statue if Tshwane Mayor Kgotsientso Ramakgopa did not collect a petition to protect heritage sites and symbols.
Bridges said a representative of the mayor’s office obliged on Wednesday which meant she would not have to spend the night with ‘Oom Paul’.
“We are here against the absolute vandalism and destruction of statues, monuments and heritage,” Bridges said on Wednesday.
“This first started when Jacob Zuma got onto a podium and said all the problems in this country started when Jan van Riebeeck landed in the country.”
12 000+ sign petition – Bridges
She said it was part of an unyielding attack on against the Afrikaner’s heritage and the minority group.
The singer said more than 12 000 people had signed the petition.
The statue of Kruger and two bronze sentries in Pretoria was defaced with green paint on Monday.
Later on Wednesday morning the four-colour flag of the old Transvaal was placed in the arm of one of the bronze sentries.
Activist and singer Steve Hofmeyr started addressing the crowd at 13:00.
News24
