National Shutdown: Here is the latest on Monday afternoon

National Shutdown: Here is the latest on Monday afternoon Photos: Twitter

National Shutdown: Here is the latest on Monday afternoon [Videos]

The National Shutdown is still ongoing in several parts of the country on Monday afternoon. Here is the latest.

National Shutdown: Here is the latest on Monday afternoon

National Shutdown: Here is the latest on Monday afternoon Photos: Twitter

The National Shutdown is still ongoing in several parts of the country on Monday afternoon.

THE NATIONAL SHUTDOWN IS STILL ONGOING IN PARTS OF SA

The National Shutdown was to protest the ongoing energy crisis, demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa step down as Head of State, and demand unemployment to addressed.

Though protest kicked off across the country, it was still business as usual for most districts.

Johannesburg: 

In Johannesburg, EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu let a few hundred protesters to the Stock Exchange. 

In Soweto, earlier in the morning, the home of Soweto Parliament leader Nhlanhla Lux was petrol bombed.

Several arrests were made in Braamfontein on Sunday night when students began protesting.

Pretoria

According to reports, just over a thousand Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters gathered at Church Square in Pretoria late Monday morning before marching to the Union Buildings.

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. EFF leader Julius Malema also joined in. 

Cape Town: 

Cape town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that apart from some traffic delays, no other major incidents were reported in the morning.

“We’ve got a huge deployment across the city, and everything, so far, is running very smoothly.

“We have got one or two very minor incidents this morning, a bus being stoned but very quickly being sorted out, and, so far, all busses, all taxis, all MyCiti busses are running as per normal.”

Earlier on Monday, a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) crew member was taken to hospital during a protest in Borchards Quarry.

KwaZulu-Natal: 

In KwaZulu-Natal, it appeared to be business as usual. 

Eastern Cape: 

On the eve of the protest marches, some parts of the Eastern Cape witnessed attempts by a few individuals to undermine the authority of the security forces in deployments. 

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, the individuals burnt tyres and put rubble on the roads. Police stopped them. 

“All the national roads, highways and byways, including business properties, are operating well and without any serious incidents reported.” 

Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana

Northern Cape: 

Mpumalanga: 

Free State:

Police earlier said a total of 87 protestors across the country had been arrested in the last 12 hours for public violence-related offences.

POLICE HAVE ARRESTED THE 87 PROTESTORS IN THE LAST 12 HOURS

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said law enforcement officers through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) have, in the last 12 hours, arrested 87 protestors across the country for public violence-related offences.

“Since the beginning of the integrated deployments, the Natjoints, together with the respective Provjoints, have been monitoring the situation closely to prevent and combat any acts of lawlessness and criminality.”

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

HERE ARE THE ARRESTS MADE IN EACH PROVINCE SO FAR

Here is a breakdown of the arrests made in each province:

  • Gauteng – 41
  • North West – 29
  • Free State – 15

Mathe said there are also arrests in other provinces, such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

‘ANYONE FOUND CONTRAVENING THE LAW WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY’

“Updates will be provided as and when information becomes available.”

According to Mathe the Natjoints will not allow and tolerate any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality.

“Anyone found to be contravening the law will be dealt 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. “

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 SANDF members countrywide ahead of the planned National Shutdown.

THESE 3 474 SOLDIERS WILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL NEXT MONTH

These soldiers will be working with SAPS to prevent crime and preserve law and order.

Deployment is set to cost over R166m and will be in place until 17 April 2023.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Sunday evening said it rejects the deployment.

THE DEPLOYMENT IS SET TO COSTS OVER R166M

“The dictator Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3 474 members of the SANDF to suppress peaceful protests against his failed Presidency and crush the calls for his resignation. This act demonstrates the bloodthirsty nature of the current government and the intolerance of the ruling party to dissent and opposition.”

EFF

It furthermore said South Africa has degenerated into a military state and the deployment of the army to suppress the Constitutional Right to protest means they have returned to the dark days of Apartheid.

THE EFF REJECTED THE DEPLOYMENT

“The current deployment of the army and law enforcement agencies has surpassed that of the Apartheid regime in the 1980s during the State of Emergency, meaning Ramaphosa has declared war on the people of South Africa.”

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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

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National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far
National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far Photo: Twitter