For days, social media has been swirling about a nationwide shutdown by civil society, intended for Friday. The viral messages were in response to the axing of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan in a Thursday night cabinet reshuffle by the president, Jacob Zuma.
The calls being made online were for Jacob Zuma to step down.
The government responded on Monday to the calls saying that ‘Friday is a normal working day’.
Government spokesperson, Donald Liphoko said, “While the public has a democratic right to embark on protest action, the government does not support acts of civil disobedience and the actions of a select few to infringe on the constitutional rights of the majority.

“The social media messages are sent to bring the image of South Africa into disrepute, to disturb the economy and to create the impression of disorder and fear in communities.”
Marches and protests are being planned on Friday in Durban and in other major centres.
It is not clear if there will be any similar action locally.