Law enforcement will be on high alert to prevent any acts of violence during a national shutdown planned by the EFF.

The shutdown, set for March 20, is to, among other things, express frustration with the current electricity crisis, job losses in some critical sectors and a call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

♦️ICYMI♦️

The EFF has called for the #NationalShutdown because of the rising levels of corruption, lack of service delivery, and collapsing public infrastructure, particularly hospitals and roads. pic.twitter.com/mhVcJsfoYA

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 9, 2023

The EFF said the planned protest is an attempt to ‘rescue our country from complete collapse’.

“The current energy crisis and the continued mis-leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa has had a devastating effect on both labour and businesses.

“Thousands of black-owned business, which employ our people, are unable to manage the costs of maintaining their businesses and remunerating their employees, all while catering for the added costs of purchasing diesel for generators,” the party said in a statement earlier this month.

♦️9 Days To Go♦️

The EFF calls on all other labour formations, political formations, civil society and ordinary people to join the #NationalShutdown.

We can only rescue our country from complete collapse on the picket lines.

Ramaphosa Must Resign Now! pic.twitter.com/RODCGOf1uW

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 11, 2023

City of uMhlathuze warns against intimidation

City of uMhlathuze manager Nkosenye Zulu has warned against reported threats and demands for businesses to close their doors on the set date.

“We have received reports about persons who intimidate businesses and threaten them that they should close down on the 20th of this month,” said Zulu.

“The City of uMhlathuze upholds the rights of political parties to lobby for any political cause and we encourage that this be done within legal parameters and without the infringement of the rights of others.

“As the city, we have a responsibility to be on the side of regularity and the law. As such, we advise our businesses that struggle in this economy, that the 20th is not a holiday and, as such, all businesses may operate as normal.”

He said businesses that choose to remain operational during the proposed shutdown will be protected.

“The security cluster has been alerted about these elements of possible threats and will be out in full force to protect businesses that will opt to dutifully and responsibly operate on the 20th.

“Businesses may still use 10111 to alert the police about any act of intimidation, or report on the city’s whistleblower line on 0800 000 483,” said Zulu.

Meanwhile, the Meerensee CPF and SAPS were on high alert yesterday after the EFF called for ‘Red Friday’, where they met at Meerensee Mall at 10:00.