WATCH: EFF supporters clash with police outside State of the Province address
JOHANNESBURG – Makhura not fit to hold office chant EFF
JOHANNESBURG – Premier of Gauteng David Makhura presented his State of the Province (Sopa) address at Greenhills Stadium in Randfontein on 20 February.
While he did, supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) tried to gain access to the stadium and were ejected, which resulted in them having clashes with the South African Police Services.
The police tried to disperse the crowd which gathered near the entrance.
EFF supporters held a demonstration outside the stadium as they argued that Makhura should not be recognised as the premier nor should he present the Sopa.
They also suggested that he should resign following the Life Esidimeni tragedy which resulted in the deaths of more than 100 mentally-ill patients, with the numbers expected to increase.
Police were in full riot gear and retaliated to the hostile EFF supporters who tried to force their way into the stadium. At one point, police responded with tear gas and closed all the entrances. The atmosphere began to calm as the crowd dispersed, but they soon gathered again.
Police remained on high alert and cordoned off the road which the EFF supporters were trying to access.
Although emergency services were on standby, no injuries were reported and they continued to patrol the scene along with the police. The EFF campaign truck arrived on the scene as the EFF Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) and other high-ranking officials joined the crowd to address and thank them for their support.
They reiterated the call for Makhura to resign. The singing of struggle songs continued as the Sopa concluded in the stadium with no further altercations taking place.
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