ANC armed with bricks at march: Zille

DA leader Helen Zille on Wednesday (12/02/2014) accused the ANC of gathering with rocks and bricks at Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg without permission.

"Police have not stopped them and they are armed with bricks," she told reporters at the Westgate transport hub on Wednesday.

"They've gathered in large numbers without police permission."

The Democratic Alliance march over "real jobs" was scheduled to end up at Beyers Naude Square, about a street block from the ANC's Luthuli House headquarters.

Zille said the ANC's stance would not stop the DA from marching as it had a right to do so.

"We have to take a stand...this is a democracy."

Thousands of DA members in blue shirts were shouting "Viva" ahead of the march.

They held placards which read: "Six million real jobs".

Thousands of African National Congress supporters filled Sauer Street ahead of the march.

Yellow T-shirts could be seen from a distance as well as ANC flags.

Umkhonto we Sizwe veterans were on top of Luthuli House.

Supporters shouted that they not scared of the DA.

ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte told supporters the party was responsible for their right to march.

She said the DA should meet the ANC in Parliament.

"This is not the seat of government, it's the headquarters of the ANC," she said.

Duarte said the ANC would not provoke anyone.

"We are disciplined cadres of the movement."

Earlier, an urgent application by the ANC to secure a protection order over an alleged threat by the DA was dismissed by the Johannesburg High Court.

The ruling party said the application was necessary because the DA had secured the services of a security firm "armed to the teeth" with batons, helmets, and shields. - Sapa