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The EFF says it is opposed to the establishment of racially segregated settlements, be it in Orania or Kleinfontein.
EFF members sing and dance as they prepare to march to Kleinfontein, 2 May 2025. Pictures: Michel Bega/The Citizen
The EFF in Gauteng has accused the police of intimidation by deploying a large contingent to watch over the party’s march to Kleinfontein, east of Pretoria.
The party said it was marching to the Afrikaner settlement to demonstrate its disapproval of what it described as a racist “whites only enclave” in a democratic state.
It says the town discriminates against black people by not allowing them to work or live there.
Buses with EFF members arrived early on Friday morning at the Petroport total garage just off the N4 to gather before members marched more than three kilometres to Kleinfontein where they handed over a memorandum of demands.
A resident of Kleinfontein, who agreed to speak anonymously, said they weren’t scared, just alert.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.
Another resident said she woke up with a knot in her stomach.
“Everyone has been restless this week leading up to the march. We have been living here for years. We haven’t had fences for years and had to put up fences quickly to prepare for today,” she said.
She said the residents were very worried because they couldn’t get their fences up in time for the march.
“We live right next to Kleinfontein and I don’t think (the EFF) will know that we are the neighbours and not the residents,” she added.
The EFF’s Gauteng chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, said the large police presence was meant to protect white people.
“The EFF in Gauteng condemns the over presence of state police and armed private security during our legally compliant and peaceful march to Kleinfontein.
“The South African Police Service deployed over 50 vehicles, including Nyalas, water tankers, razor wire and heavily armed tactical units, not to ensure public safety, but rather to appease the insecurities of white individuals who remain intolerant and hateful toward black people,” he said.
Dunga said the EFF has proved in the past it can have peaceful marches without any violence.
“This unnecessary show of force by the government is unwarranted, especially considering our proven track record of organising highly disciplined and peaceful public demonstrations,” he said.
The party described the heavy police presence as harassment and intimidation.
“The very idea that there are fearless and unapologetic black people who dare to confront racism unsettles the establishment.
“This results in state intimidation, harassment and a calculated attempt to suppress legitimate protest. We warn the state that when white sensitivities are met with cowardice, they risk becoming law and order of the country,” he said.
Dunga said Saps could have instead used the resources to deal with violent crime in communities around Pretoria.
“It is also important to highlight the irony that, while police resources are being wasted on suppressing a peaceful march, the City of Tshwane remains riddled with violent crime.
“Our repeated calls for the state to act against this rampant crime have been ignored — yet any perceived disruption of white comfort is met with ridiculous urgency and overreaction,” he said.
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Kleinfontein and Orania in the Northern Cape are considered to be the only two places in the country where Afrikaner people live by themselves.
The leaders of these settlements have argued that their goal is to preserve Afrikaans identity and values.
However, they have denied any racist practices.
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