Thousands of South Africans join nationwide march against Zuma

Thousands of South Africans nationwide join the #ZumaMustFall marches on Wednesday calling for the removal of South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma from office.

The marches are in reaction to the president’s decision to sack former finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene, replacing him with ANC MP, David van Rooyen.

Four days after a public outcry and subsequent plummeting financial markets, president Zuma replaced Van Rooyen with a much more experienced Pravin Gordhan as finance minister, which saw the Rand recover steadily.

The move by the president did not stop the demonstrations which were inspired via social media networks by rights groups with the hashtag #ZumaMustFall.

Held in different cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth, demonstrators signed petitions for the removal of president Zuma.

In Cape Town, about 10,000 people joined the demonstration, according to journalist Rahima Essop who reported on the march via her Twitter page.

#ZumaMustFallMarch This is the turnout in Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/6hd1wGeKJF— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

#ZumaMustFallMarch one of the Unite Against Corruption organizers estimates just under 10 thousand people took part in demonstration in CT— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

The demonstrators in Cape Town, reported Rahima Essop, were gathered outside the parliament building cheering to music and the national anthem carrying posters bearing inscriptions such as #ZumaMustFall for #SAtoRise, The Tribe Has Spoken, SA B4 ANC #ZumaMustFall.

#ZumaMustFall Demonstrators gather outside Parliament. Citizens rising. pic.twitter.com/ZpS456oLc3— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

#ZumaMustFallMarch Protestors outside Parliament. Music, cheering, posters & the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/quMZpChb8j— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

#ZumaMustFallMarch Cape Town in the protesting spirit… There is a vibe outside Parliament this morning. pic.twitter.com/DTiWgiewoZ— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

#ZumaMustFallMarch 'SA before ANC' Cope's Deidre Carter holding up this banner outside Parliament. pic.twitter.com/qblsaKXF5W— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

#ZumaMustFallMarch The crowd chanting 'Pay back the money' EconFreedomZA MbuyiseniNdlozi pic.twitter.com/JChcD6BTvJ— RAHIMA ESSOP (@rahimaessop) December 16, 2015

The marches were led by the NGO, Unite Against Corruption (UAC), which has called on South Africans to support the #ZumaMustFall campaign to end corruption in the country.

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