EFF threatens nationwide shutdown over power losses

EFF leader Julius Malema has threatened to unleash the “mother of all protests” which he said would bring South Africa to a standstill on March 20, as the opposition pressures the government to end load shedding.

Speaking to journalists in Joburg after the EFF’s plenum, Malema said his party would not seek permission to hold the mass protest, and warned businesses to close shop on that day.

“National shutdown (on) March 20 – we don’t apply for nothing. We can’t apply for that which is given to us by the Constitution. It is our constitutional right to protest and we shall protest on March 20. Like Sharpeville, we are not afraid of state power, let the state come with its power, we will come with mass power,” said Malema.

“Everything is going to come to a standstill. We don’t want to see a single truck moving. We don’t want to see a single train moving. We don’t want to see a single bus moving, unless it is taking people to the picket lines.

“We don’t want to see the trucks and the trains, more particularly in Richards Bay. Those ones are taking our minerals out of our country through Richards Bay. On the 20th, if you know what is good for you, park your trucks in your depots. Let the trains stop … Ramaphosa must step down with immediate effect.”

A week ago, civil rights group #NotInMyName marched to the Union Building in Pretoria, demanding an end to the indefinite load shedding and the approved electricity price hike.

#NotInMyName president Siyabulela Jentile said President Cyril Ramaphosa had been found wanting during this ongoing crisis.