The National Shutdown is planned for Monday. Here are 13 things that you need to know so far.
HERE ARE 13 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW – NATIONAL SHUTDOWN:
EFF leader Julius Malema said that there would be no starting or end point for the demonstration.
- Clinics and hospitals will be accessible
- No starting or ending point
- This is a protest, NOT a march.
- No permit was granted for National Shutdown
- Businesses warned NOT to open on Monday.
- Promises of no violence -‘This is a peaceful protest’.
- Various sectors of society, including SANTACO, the National Taxi Association, the local Taxi Association, the Road Freight Association and organised structures within communities, have rejected the call to shutdown.
- All Government services will be available as normal.
- Law enforcement officers will be out in their numbers
- PUTCO bus services is suspended for Monday.
- Roads will be empty and strategic routes leading to Midrand and Sandton will be CLOSED on Monday.
- The SANDF elements will be deployed under “Operation PROSPER” as from March 17 to April 17, 2023.
- Security will also be heightened at all South Africa’s ports on entry to ensure travel in and out of the country is not disturbed.
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“Fighters, wherever they are, are just going to gather and protest. It’s as simple as that, it doesn’t have transport or a route. The same way they protest in their communities, they will protest like that on that day. It’s a protest, not a march. It does not have a formula.
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“If the Union Buildings is such a centre, then we will meet there. The branch of the EFF in that area must make sure they embark on an activity that demonstrates they must be heard.”
Julius Malema
THESE ROADS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NO-GO ZONES THUS FAR:
The EFF identified these roads so far as no-go zones on Monday:
- Midrand offramps from N1, to New Road, Allandale,
- N3, will be closed off,
- Grayston Drive, Marlboro,
- Jan Smut Avenue, Empire Road
- Joe Slovo
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DISORDER AND ANARCHY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
Speaking at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, President Cyril Ramaphosa said while the right to protest was enshrined in the Constitution, the only way of getting him out of office would be through a vote, not an attempt to overthrow the government.
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“Coercing others to act in a way that you want is not a part of our democratic architecture and I wanted to say, very clearly: disorder and anarchy will not be allowed in South Africa.
“We will not allow those who want to spread anarchy to do what they like, here.”
Ramaphosa
SECURITY FORCES WOULD NOT HESITATE TO USE FORCE
The president furthermore warned the EFF that security forces would not hesitate to use force against those who infringed on the rights of others.
“Security forces in our country are going to defend our people. If you are going to intimidate them and unleash violence our security forces are going to defend the people of South Africa – that, I must clear.”
There has been growing criticism over the party’s plans to mobilise hundreds of EFF members, citizens, and other organisations next week to demand an end to load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
POLICE ARE ON HIGH ALERT
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said said that the national joint operational and intelligence structure is on high alert for any signs of unrest on the day of the planned EFF protest.
“We will not tolerate any lawlessness and any act of criminality if people are found to be looting, if people are found to be distracting any property whether be it private or public property. They will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.”
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe
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