SA anxious amid fears of another wave of unrest

SOUTH Africa is on tenterhooks, amid fears that another wave of unrest and possible looting is on the cards, when proponents of the mooted national shutdown push ahead with their plan.

Mostly on edge is KwaZulu-Natal, where violence last month left a trail of destruction and more than 300 people dead, and Gauteng where the violence then spread. Also worried about any shutdown is the operator of the N3 supply route, servicing Gauteng with goods from the Durban harbour.

A security plan, seen by Independent Media, shows that security personnel will be all over Gauteng to ensure that order is maintained.

The national shutdown was first about forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to free former president Jacob Zuma, who is serving a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court.

However, in an intelligence briefing given to the provincial government of KZN on Friday, state security officials said truck drivers, under the banner of All Truck Drivers Foundation, wanted to use the day to kick out foreign drivers violently.

“Most importantly, the #FreeJacobZumaNow campaign is also gaining momentum,” reads part of the memo.

Known official organisers of the Free Zuma Campaign have not said anything about the mooted shutdown.

Yesterday, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS), which includes the police and the army, said it had put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of South Africans, amid threats.

“NatJOINTS is aware of inflammatory messages on various social media platforms, advocating violence. Those behind these messages are warned that inciting violence is a criminal offence. Members of the public are cautioned against spreading such divisive messages,” it said.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said they were ready to meet any aggrieved grouping, but this should be done within the confines of the law.

“As far as government is concerned, tomorrow (today) is a normal working day. We call for calm as we are not aware of anyone who is authorised to carry out a shutdown of businesses tomorrow (today), or any other time.”

He added: “The rumours are being taken very seriously and our law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to safeguard the right to life, freedom of movement, property, and any other eventuality.”