Government scrambles to ensure that shutdown does not turn violent
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), security cluster ministers and private security companies will be on high alert come Monday, 20 March, as they try to ensure that the EFF’s planned national shutdown does not turn violent. Since the EFF announced its intention of bringing the country to a complete standstill, there have been growing concerns about the nature of the protest as the government, business and civil society lament the possibility that it might turn violent.
The shutdown was called to press President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign and demand the end to rolling blackouts, as well as to bring the issues that affect young people to the fore.
The party’s leader, Julius Malema, has insisted that cries from various sectors of society are not valid as the EFF is a “nice” political party that has not incited any violence throughout its planning of the shutdown.
Natjoints, which includes the police, the military and civilian government departments, said it would ensure that the protest did not disrupt normal life.
“Natjoints reaffirms and assures the nation that measures are in place to prevent and combat any acts of criminality and that Monday is a normal working and business day,” according to the liaison body.
Security companies Thorburn and Fidelity seem to be on high alert for any trouble that might occur.
In a report based on intelligence that Thorburn received on 13 March, risk areas include the Union Buildings, Eskom head office and the presidential residence in Pretoria.
The Durban and Richards Bay ports are also listed, along with major routes, airports, shops, schools, universities and businesses.
The company’s report says there is a “plausible risk” that the protest may spill over to the following day.
Although Malema said on 15 March that it would be business unusual on the day of the protest, ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster begged to differ.
Speaking at a briefing in Pretoria on 16 March, Police Minister Bheki Cele said steps had been taken to ensure that no one was affected.
“Measures have been put in place to ensure that everyone who wants to go to work, travel for leisure and conduct business on this day does so in a safe and secure environment,” he said.
“Law enforcement officers will be out in their numbers to protect them, whilst enforcing the law. Anyone who intimidates, stops anyone from going to work, barricades the roads and highways and uses any form of violence to try and stop our people from going on with their lives will face the full might of the law.”
Transnet said it was working with stakeholders to implement contingency plans where necessary to ensure business continuity.
“The plans will take into consideration operational demands and available capacity,” the state-owned enterprise said in a statement.
“Transnet’s priority remains to ensure the safety of its operations and employees, as well as customers and stakeholders accessing Transnet facilities.
“Transnet will continuously monitor the situation and adjust its contingency plans accordingly.”
The civil society group Defend Our Democracy issued a statement calling on law enforcement to act against any form of intimidation and violence that might unfold before, during and after the shutdown.
The organisation said it believed that South Africa was already in crisis and that the protest action, which it said only sought to deepen the crisis for narrow party-political gains, could not be the solution.