Protest action in Sandton
SANDTON - A crowd of around 300 people took to West Street, outside the Sandton Convention Centre to call for the immediate release of Dr Sheikh Abdus Salaam Bassiouni.
Bassiouni has been detained in Egypt since 2 December 2014.
Supporters, friends and the family of Bassiouni are calling on the African Union to intervene in his continued detention and to secure his immediate and unconditional release.
Bassiouni was detained when entering Egypt to attend his daughter’s engagement party.
The South African Communist party is also supporting the cause.
Motorists can expect traffic congestion in Sandton this coming weekend as there are reports of further protest action to take place.
Reports state that the Sandton police have confirmed that five groups of protesters will be protesting from 12 June to 15 June starting at 10am to 2pm.
The areas that will be affected include outside the US Consulate on Rivonia Road and outside Benmore Shopping Centre at the corner of Grayston Drive and West Street.The groups protesting are the South African Communist Party, the anti-Palestine, pro-Egyptian, anti-Egyptian and Somali groups.
#ATT #AVOID Upcoming #ProtestAction in Sandton CBD. Expect heavy delays. pic.twitter.com/fYhmIAcYTO
— Cliff – That's All (@PigSpotter) June 11, 2015
On behalf of the Sandton police, Warrant Officer Mamare Ramotshela confirmed the protest action. “I am not sure of the exact areas as yet, but yes, the station commander has confirmed that there will be protest action taking place,” said Ramotshela.
There has also been no official confirmation on the reasons behind the recent spike in protests in Sandton.
