By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) vows to shut down the country’s economy and transport in March to demand reliable electricity and that President Cyril Ramaphosa resign.
Party leader Julius Malema said the EFF won’t apply for permission to march on the day.
“We won’t apply for nothing. We won’t apply for what is given to us by the constitution. It is our constitutional right to protest and we will protest on 20 March.
Malema said no train, bus or truck will be moving across the country. There will be no learning at schools lecturers and all major roads will be closed except for emergency services.
No factory, shop or major road will be open, he said.
“No one will intimidate us. South Africa will come to a standstill. If Ramaphosa doesn’t resign on the day, we’ll announce after that, we don’t pre-empt anything. Why would you want to be president when dollars were found under your mattress?
“No single train will move on national shutdown on March 20. We don’t want to see a single train, bus or truck. From Musina to Cape Town, nothing will move except emergency services, police and doctors,” said Malema.
He added that trucks that transport minerals to Richards Bay in Kwazulu-Natal will come to a standstill on the day. The route has been marred by disruptions for months caused by local truck drivers and communities.
“The trains and trucks, more particularly those that go to Richards Bay taking our minerals out of our country – on the 20th March, if you know what is good for you – park your trucks in your depots.”
“We are going to switch on the lights because we are going to remove the man who switches off the light. Our freedom was stolen by Ramaphosa and the ANC and it shall be returned to South Africans on March 20 2023. It is the beginning of bringing down ANC and Ramaphosa.
“Whether Ramaphosa likes it or not, he is a mess for this country. It’s not me but a judge who said he has a case to answer for having undeclared dollars at his farm.
“Zuma’s unrest [July 2021] will look like a mickey mouse. We are unstoppable, South Africa has been waiting for too long, and we are mobilising every corner of our country.
Malema also said they have instructed their lawyers to privately prosecute ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe over BOSASA crimes.
He said he did not understand why Mantashe has not been arrested yet, as he has not disputed his involvement with Bosasa.
Malema added that the party has cut all ties with the IFP.
This is after the parties met earlier this month to discuss a balance in terms of power-sharing in coalition municipalities.
These include the Zululand, Amajuba, Uthukela, Umkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo district municipalities, as well as the Ulundi, Nongoma, Mtubatuba, uMhlathuze, Jozini, Dannhauser, Alfred Duma, Nkosi Langalibalele, Abaqulusi, Uphongolo and Umhlabauyalingana local municipalities.
Malema said the EFF would make sure the IFP was removed from all positions of responsibility in all Gauteng municipalities.
“We have communicated this with the leadership of the IFP and have instructed EFF deputy mayors to resign … and remain as ordinary councillors.
“The IFP has unfortunately adopted the arrogant and entitled posture of the racist Democratic Alliance and has confused the power it holds due to the support of the EFF as an election victory.”
He added that the Central Command Team of the EFF and the Plenum “resolved that the organisation must no longer be on the touchlines of governance and that the EFF must begin to occupy meaningful roles of responsibility in local municipalities”.
The EFF and IFP have had a relationship at the local government level since 2016.