The streets of Johannesburg turned blueon Wednesday morning as hundreds of DA supporters led by their leader John Steenhuisen marched to Luthuli house against ongoing power cuts, tariff hikesand corruption and cadre deployment.

The march comes two weeks after theNational Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) granted Eskom an 18.65%electricity tariff hike.

DA ANCYL SCUFFLE

The ANCYL were at Luthuli house early in the morning with some holding sjamboks promising to protect their headquarters at all costs. A large fence was also erected in the streets leading to Luthuli House to create a barricade between the two parties' members. While addressing the crowd, Steenhuisen said Eskom was engineered through terrible, outdated policy, through disgusting greed, and corruption. "Through the deployment of useless and often criminal cadres to the state power utility. While our country is going through an incredibly tough time, it is inspiring to see that you still have the spirit for this fight. You haven't given up yet. If we can keep that spirit alive, I promise you we will overcome not only this electricity challenge but every other challenge facing South Africa today, said Steenhuisen.

ESKOM CRISIS NOT ANC PROBLEM

The ANC has hit back at the official opposition and said that the Eskom crisis was not an ANC problem but the government's issue. Spokesperson Pule Mabe said the DA should be directing their grievances to the government and not the ANC. "They are talking about the government, yet they are directing their efforts toward the ANC. I mean, this is nothing but the DA preparing grounds for next year's elections. South Africans are not interested. The ANC has already said it will stand by the people and contribute towards finding lasting solutions. We have invited members of civil society and industry experts to participate in our energy dialogue today," he said.

DA PROVOKING THE ANC

The ANC Youth League's national organiser, Tlangi Mogale, said the national leaders will not be accepting the memorandum by the DA. She said these attempts are used to provoke the ANC and although their leaders are present at Luthuli house, they will not entertain these tactics. "No ANC member is going to accept a memorandum from the DA; if they have problems with Eskom, they must march to Megawatt Park. The ANC SG is here daily, and we want him to continue with that work without being interrupted by white racists. We are busy with issues facing the country; we do not have time with people playing to the gallery," Mogale said.

Mogale added: "The ANC Youth League, by its nature, has the responsibility of protecting the gains and the legacy of the ANC. If the DA thinks they have strong views on Eskom, they must present those views to Megawatt Park. Imagine if we had to march to Bruma everyday because they are failing in the municipality."