#NationalShutdown update: EFF to return to Polokwane CBD
The deputy provincial secretary Rassy Maepa said negotiations were made with the South African Police Service for protesters to occupy the CBD this afternoon and into the evening.
POLOKWANE – Demonstrations were short-lived in Polokwane’s central business district (CBD) earlier today with protesters moving into the immediate townships of Seshego and Mankweng to join others who are also affiliates of the EFF for the #NationalShutdown.
Read more: A breakdown of the #NationalShutdown in Polokwane so far
Police opened fire and several arrests were made for inciting violence in Seshego but the EFF say they will return to the CBD this afternoon.
The deputy provincial secretary Rassy Maepa said negotiations were made with the South African Police Service for protesters to occupy the CBD this afternoon and into the evening as the party’s call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign continue. No time was given by Maepa.
“Perhaps it was because we did not have police escorting us but now a greater police visibility will be present. We do not expect that they will open fire because fighters are disciplined people, however, we still plead that no normal operations should take place in the city because we would not be held liable for those that are found to be contravening the law,” he said.
Maepa says the party’s legal representatives are now working on the release of those who were arrested.
Around 35 people were arrested mid-morning in Seshego and taken into custody.
Having been at the scene, the Polokwane Observer can confirm that protesters were, at the time, not allowed to occupy a portion of the street at the Seshego Circle, which prompted police to open fire.
As opposed to government’s clarion call for businesses and citizens to go about with their days, major retail and grocery stores in the inner city including small business such as those of hawkers in Mankweng and Seshego shut their doors, while others did not bother opening.
The EFF still maintains that there is no targeted destination as that would resemble the nature of a march. Instead, they are occupying any point to demonstrate their grievances.
Former provincial chairperson Jossey Buthane said it was unfair for ‘government through the SAPS to shoot at ordinary citizens who are merely expressing dissatisfaction about the current administration under the majority rule of African National Congress’
“We can still block the N1 like we had with the Seshego shutdown last year. It still is a peaceful protest and we do not expect government to open fire on us because we are complying. Police are just always trigger happy,” he added.
