By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) national shutdown is currently underway, with the protests breaking out around South Africa on Monday.
Although it seemed like business as usual, a number of protesters wearing EFF regalia left the Church Square where most protesters were gathered before moving to the Union Buildings.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said activists came out in their numbers and registered their dissatisfaction ‘against the incompetent government of Cyril Ramaphosa, in the face of intimidation and violence by police and military personnel”.
“Many activists who were violated or detained by police in the early hours of this morning have been released and are on the ground determined to exercise their Constitutional right to protest,” Thambo said.
“As things stand, it is not a normal day in South Africa. Taxi ranks, malls, and intersections which would ordinarily be busy in the cities and townships, are empty.
The ANC, in a statement, expressed its gratitude towards all South Africans “who did not join the extremist and regressive so-called shutdown”.
“In South Africa, there is no place or tolerance for vigilantism and forceful removal of an incumbent government. The ANC is fully committed to doing what the people of South Africa expect, demand, and deserve,” reads the statement.
“The ANC acknowledges that everyone has the right to protest, and in line with the rule of law, all protest actions must be lawful. According to the Bill of Rights enshrined in our Constitution, no person or grouping may engage in an illegal protest action or impose their protest action on everyone who does not support it.”
Meanwhile ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has been criticised for saying the EFF-initiated shutdown was a big flop.
Mbalula, who has demonstrated strong disapproval of the national shutdown, took to Twitter to harangue the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Local celebrities have also weighed in on the posts slamming Mbalula for taking aim at the EFF.
Former African National Congress (ANC) member and founder of the African Radical Economic Transformation Alliance (Areta) Carl Niehaus joined the EFF’s protest in Pretoria.
He said that government would have to account for any violence that took place on Monday.
“I want to warn this government: if they use brutal force against the people as if the people are the enemy, we, Areta, and all the other progressive forces will fight back within the parameters of the law at everything and with all the means that we have.” Niehaus was expelled from the ANC last year after it found him guilty of violating rule 25 of its constitution based on his inflammatory comments at Nkandla and Estcourt last year after former president Jacob Zuma’s arrest for contempt of court.
The Police Ministry confirmed that 87 people were arrested nationwide since midnight in connection with the shutdown. Added to this, almost 25,000 tyres were seized at various protests.
National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe issued a stern warning for those breaking the law.
“The NatJoints will not allow any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality. Anyone found to be contravening the law will be delt with accordingly.
“Law enforcement officers are on high alert and will continue to prevent and combat any acts of criminality, maintain public order, protect the inhabitants of South Africa and their property, as well as uphold and enforce the law.”