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Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has approved four marches and pickets to Parliament on Wednesday when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will be presenting his mini budget.
Two of the marches still need final approval by the Chief Magistrate but so far the city has allocated four slots on the cobbles outside Parliament.
From 07:00 to 09:00, 15 people with the SA Faith Commission Environment Institute have been granted permission to protest against a nuclear deal that the South African government has signed.
From 09:00 to 10:00 a group of 1 000 people described as "UCT Collective Unions" will picket, but this march is still waiting for the Chief Magistrate's approval.
Next up is the Democratic Alliance between 10:00 and 13:00, with 1 000 people allowed in its march. They plan to protest for stability and sustainability in the higher education sector.
Finally, from 13:00 to 15:00 the Cape Peninsula University of Technology's central student representative council has been given the go-ahead for a 1 000-person march by the city, with final approval still to come from the Chief Magistrate.
Final preparations
City of Cape Town spokesperson Priya Reddy said the SA Police Service would take the lead regarding security arrangements, and the city's law enforcement agencies would support them if necessary.
Gordhan is due to speak at 14:00.
One of Gordhan's predecessors, Nhlanhla Nene, was caught off guard by a massive student protest at Parliament during his speech last year.
Earlier on Tuesday, students at a meeting held at the University of Cape Town made final preparations for their Fees Must Fall march to Parliament on Wednesday.
They called on those with vehicles to car pool, and for others to help with arranging taxis.
This round of Fees Must Fall protests has been underway nationally since September 19 when Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced another fee freeze, but only for students who come from families with an income of less than R600 000 a year.
Those protesting are demanding completely free education among other demands such as decolonised education and the dropping of charges against those arrested during the protests. They also want university cleaners, cooks and guards to become permanent employees where this has not happened yet.
*Visit Fin24's Mini Budget Special for all the news, views and analysis.
