KZN, Gauteng ‘on edge’ over rumoured shutdown
KWAZULU-NATAL, the epicentre and the flashpoint of last month's looting that left over 300 people dead and cost billions of rand in economic damage, is on edge, bracing itself for more unrest.
It was initially treated as a hoax until the State Security Agency (SSA) told the province to come up with counter-plans.
Also on edge is Gauteng and the operators of the N3 supply route servicing Gauteng with essential 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.
Initially the shutdown was about forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to free former president Jacob Zuma, who is serving a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court or face the wrath of his supporters. However, in an intelligence briefing given to the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, state security officials said truck drivers under the banner of the All Truck Drivers Foundation wanted to use the day to kick out foreign drivers violently. If that happened, it would likely spur people sympathetic to Zuma to spring into action and start protesting, throwing the country into chaos.
Part of the information that was given to the provincial government made its way to a memo sent to provincial Health Department staff by department head Dr Sandile Tshabalala. In the memo, titled “contingency planning for potential shutdown 23 August 2021”, Tshabalala said there were indications that the shutdown might happen.
“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 the threats.
"The 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 urged community members not to take part in any shutdown and for community forums to operate within the perimeters of the law.
“The public is urged not to respond to calls for violence and criminality, and are thus discouraged from participating in activities that seek to defy the rule of law and undermine the authority of the state.“
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said they were ready to meet any aggrieved grouping, but this should be done within the confines of the law.
“Protests and marches are legal in South Africa, which means that they must be conducted in terms of the law and national lockdown regulations. This right must never be used to infringe on the freedom of others.
“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. We advise employers and society in general to conduct their business as normal but exercise extra vigilance.
“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,” Zikalala said.
“We are in the process of economic recovery and rebuilding of the province following the recent civil unrest. We need to protect and save jobs and livelihoods of citizens. We must not be distracted from our mission, which is to reignite economic growth and to create much-needed jobs,” he said.