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National Shutdown marked by low turnout, heavy police presence – a pictorial recap

mdntvBy No Comments5 Mins Read


National Shutdown day, Monday, 20 March, saw the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lead protests across South Africa. The country’s third-largest political party’s demonstrations were largely peaceful, and turnout was low with a heavy law enforcement presence.

NATIONAL SHUTDOWN

Malema led a march to President Ramaphosa’s official residence in the capital.

“Our demands are simple, we want Ramaphosa to leave this house, to leave this house with immediate efect,” said EFF leader Julius Malema to protesters in Tshwane.

“We are here to demand the end of load shedding (electricity outages), to demand Ramaphosa to step down and if he doesn’t… we will force him to step down,” he said.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema (C) argues with a South African Police Service (SAPS) officer as EFF members protest in front of the presidential Guest House in Pretoria on March 20, 2023 during a “national shut-down” called by their party. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters march to the presidential Guest House in Pretoria on March 20, 2023 during a “national shut-down” called by their party. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)

Several thousand people turned up to the march in the capital. Elsewhere, the size of the crowd varied from dozens to hundreds.

EFF opposition parties, including the ANC and DA, were quick to label the National Shutdown a failure early on Monday once it became apparent that things were operating as usual in many parts of the country. Law enforcement also dispersed many of the scattered protests that broke out in the early hours of the day.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters sing and dance as they march in Pretoria on March 20, 2023 during a “national shut-down” called by their party. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)

“Citizens who were not party to any demonstration were able to carry on with their normal daily activities,” he said.

“There was no shutdown. Some businesses closed down due to intimidation and fear of violence,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, according to AFP.

A handwritten sign on a bridge in Pretoria reads: “Phala Phala a Crime Scene” on the day of a national shut down protests organised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on the N14 highway in Pretoria on March 20, 2023. – The banner is a reference to the scandal that erupted in June 2022 when South Africa’s former spy boss filed a complaint with the police alleging that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had concealed the 2020 theft of a huge haul of cash from his Phala Phala farm. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)

Late on Monday, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said more than 550 people were arrested on charges including public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft,  and attempted looting.

Additional reporting by AFP.

Members of the the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stage a sit down on a street in Hillbrow, Johannesburg on March 20, 2023 during a “national shut-down” called by their party. (Photo by Shiraaz Mohamed / AFP)
A barricade is seen in the road as members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gather on Inanda Road in Durban on March 20, 2023 as South Africa braces for protests EFF called for a “national shut-down”. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)
Members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) guide members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as they march through the streets in central Durban on March 20, 2023, during a “national shut-down” called by their party. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) protest in front of the presidential Guest House in Pretoria on March 20, 2023 during a “national shutdown” called by their party. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
EFF National Chairperson Veronica Mente, who led the Cape Town National Shutdown March, addresses the crowd gathered in the CPUT parking lot near Hanover Street. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
EFF MP Nazier Paulsen holds the line in Darling street. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
Conrad Koch showed up with his puppet Chester Missing dressed in EFF regalia. He asked them about “VBS money”. Protesters said Koch was provoking them and some had to be restrained. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) form a human wall to make sure protesters follow the route to parliament. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
A protester singing in the face of a SAPS member. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
A PAC leader in the province, Owen Khathazile, and Mente lead protesters into Buitenkant Street. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
Protesters line up in Buitenkant Street. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
 The Cape Town National Shutdown march approaching Parliament at the bottom of Roeland Street. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
March leaders addressed protesters outside Parliament. Image: Storm Simpson/The South African.
An aerial view of protesters outside parliament. Image: Twitter/@MbalulaFikile

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