The situation is currently calm in the streets of Rand West City as shops and businesses alike have taken precautionary measures and decided to shut their doors for the day.

 Also read: #NationalShutdown: Mostly peaceful protests reported countrywide

This has resulted to little to no activity taking place particularly on Main Reef Road, which is known to be a hive of activity.

This comes after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) initiated the National Shutdown which commenced from midnight (March 20) in different parts of the country.

Also read: Watch: 2023 National Budget Speech

The purpose of this is to put pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down from office and air frustrations regarding the country’s state of affairs. This includes the rolling blackouts that Eskom has implemented over the months which saw the citizens of this country being plunged into darkness.

To deal with the eventualities of the day, police officers throughout the country have been on high alert in the different communities. More than 80 people have been arrested so far.

This is for various offences committed during the shutdown in the different areas.

The Herald will be closely monitoring developments in its area of jurisdiction and will provide updates, if and when they become available.