South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday, 11 November 2022

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday, 11 November 2022 – Photo: Twitter / EFF

EFF vow to shutdown ALL Pick N Pay stores in Mzansi – but why?

First H&M, then Clicks, and now Pick N Pay: The retailer has fallen foul of the EFF, and party leader Julius Malema is issuing an ultimatum.

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday, 11 November 2022

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday, 11 November 2022 – Photo: Twitter / EFF

Will we have another wave of trashed stores and decimated businesses due to the EFF? South Africa’s far-left party is threatening to take ‘shutdown’ action against Pick N Pay, after they accused the retail giants of ignoring their requests for a meeting.

Pick N Pay EFF
The retailer has been warned that it could face ‘militant action’ from EFF supporters – Photo: Supplied

Here’s why the EFF want to shutdown Pick N Pay stores

According to EFF leader Julius Malema, Pick N Pay have ‘turned their backs’ on poor franchisees. Black business owners, who have opened their stores in local communities, say they have been abandoned by the powers that be – leaving many complainants with million-rand debts.

The conduct of Pick N Pay has been deemed wholly unacceptable by Malema and his comrades. The outspoken politician is now threatening to close EVERY one of their stores across South Africa, and he’s vowed to take ‘militant action’ if this last warning is not heeded…

“We have written two letters to Pick N Pay requesting a meeting with them, to raise the concerns of the exploited Franchisees, but they have refused. Bosses have used black people to establish their presence in communities – but have now have turned against them.”

“If they continue to refuse to meet the EFF, they will leave us with no option but to close all Pick N Pay stores in South Africa. We will write to them the third and final letter, and we demand that they must positively respond this time, or we will be forced into militant action.” | Julius Malema

Julius Malema vows ‘militant action’ against retail giants

The threat of a ‘countrywide shutdown’ from the EFF is no empty promise. In 2018, a number of Red Berets ransacked H&M stores in South Africa, shortly after one of their clothing ranges was deemed as ‘racist’. Two years later, more storm clouds gathered in Mzansi.

An advertisement from Clicks, which was uncomplimentary towards black hair, also sparked a wave of destructive protests in 2020. This proposed action against Pick N Pay would also be classed as a racial complaint – and Mr. Malema is already preparing to mobilise his ground forces.