National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far Photos: Twitter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 SANDF members countrywide ahead of the National Shutdown. Here is the latest.
National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far Photos: Twitter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 SANDF members countrywide ahead of the planned National Shutdown.
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.
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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Sunday evening said it rejects the deployment.
“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.
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“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.”
The EFF also accused the police of searching the homes and cars of citizens without warrants.
“The scenes of the military personnel descending into the townships of South Africa policemen searching the homes and cars of citizens without warrants or just cause and shutting down tyre shops reveal a paranoid government that is capable of grave human rights violations.
“The international community ought to pay close attention to South Africa on 20 March 2023 because the government of SA has prepared itself to commit a massacre in the defence of a corrupt President.”
EFF
EFF leader Julius Malema said that there would be no starting or end point for the demonstration.
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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
The EFF identified these roads so far as no-go zones on Monday:
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ilise hundreds of EFF members, citizens, and other organisations next week to demand an end to load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said said that the national joint operational and intelligence structure is on high alert for any signs of unrest on the day of the planned EFF protest.
“We will not tolerate any lawlessness and any act of criminality if people are found to be looting, if people are found to be distracting any property whether be it private or public property. They will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.”
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe
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