Photo: EFF / Twitter
Photo: EFF / Twitter
The EFF march through Phoenix, KZN on Thursday was billed as an event that would rewrite history in South Africa, yet current crowd sizes would say otherwise. The Red Berets aren’t ones for obeying COVID-19 protocols on these marches, and we can’t chalk these no-shows down to social distancing. But the party has its excuses lined up already.
Watch: Crowd size at EFF Phoenix march lampooned
Ian Cameron, of Action Society SA, uploaded a video of the underwhelming numbers to his Twitter account. Given the size of the promo behind the march, Cameron billed the final turnout as ‘pretty disappointing’, even if there was more than the maximum number of 100 people allowed at an outdoor gathering.
As received-#EFFinPhoenix gathering. Pretty disappointing crowd after all the media chatter. https://t.co/DaQZz6lX89 pic.twitter.com/Z2F983RGf5
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) August 5, 2021
DA criticise EFF for ‘whipping up anti-Indian sentiment’
Shadow Trade Minister Dean Macpherson also stuck the boot in, as the DA representative lambasted the intentions behind the march. A total of 36 people were killed in Phoenix during the July riots, with most of the violence orchestrated by vigilante groups. The EFF has blamed ‘racist Indians’ for the attacks, but Macpherson isn’t having it.
“Considering all the attention and continued whipping up of anti-Indian sentiment by politicians and the media, this is a rather pathetic crowd at the EFF march in Phoenix. This will be a real disappointment for all the race hustlers and a real victory for peace-loving people.” | Dean Macpherson
Phoenix march – latest news and updates
To give them their dues, the EFF did state that ‘entrances were blocked’ on their route into Phoenix, claiming that supporters were ‘denied access’ to the march. The demonstration, however, is still going strong on Thursday.
“SAPS has blocked entrances at Phoenix. The police have taken a side in support of the racist Indians as they deny Ground Forces access to the march. We demand the immediate arrest of racist criminals and thugs.”
[In Pictures]: We will continue our fight against anti-black racism and continued disregard of Black lives.
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 5, 2021
We will NEVER retreat. Black Lives Matter! #EFFinPhoenix pic.twitter.com/g6fYjiLksP
