Preparations for national shutdown well under way
AUTHORITIES are on high alert ahead of a planned shutdown on Monday by the EFF.
In a statement, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, national spokesperson for the SAPS, said it was the responsibility of organisers and conveners of gatherings to ensure that the gathering proceeded peacefully and in an orderly manner.
“This is in line with the Gatherings Act No 205 of 1993. It is also the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that their participants or supporters at the demonstration or gathering abide by the law and that the laws of the country are complied with, with no incidents of lawlessness taking place.
“To this end, the SAPS will not tolerate any lawlessness and any form of criminality. It is, therefore, important to note that anyone who is found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly, within the ambit of the law.”
She said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), comprised of several government departments as led by the State Security Agency (SSA), SAPS and SANDF, had put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone within the country’s borders.
“While plans will be in place to ensure law and order, we are urging all people in this country to heed the country’s laws and not engage in acts that will result in them having criminal records.
“While this will fall on a Monday where schoolchildren are not going to school, we are urging parents to encourage their children not to involve themselves in activities that would lead to them having a future riddled with a criminal record.
“The youth of this country must remember that having a criminal record can hamper their ability to find jobs.”
Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda put security personnel on high alert.
Speaking at the city’s executive committee meeting yesterday, he said the metro police was engaging with its SAPS counterparts to come up with a comprehensive security plan that would prevent any attempts to undermine the authority of the state and would ensure the public and business community felt safe.
“All municipal services will be available as employees are expected to report for duty.”
Kaunda said the city’s leadership had been assured by the EFF that the shutdown would be peaceful and that there would be no disruptions.
“This city has just emerged from consecutive calamities that battered its economy and that of the country. Under no circumstances will we allow the shutdown of economic activities, no matter the gravity of the grievances.
“While peaceful protests are allowed, we have a responsibility to protect those who are not part of this shutdown, and it is their right to be protected.
“Those protesting must do so within the ambit of the law. Anyone undermining the authority of the state shall face the full might of the law and we will not relent in this regard,” said Kaunda.
Boysie Zungu, metro police spokesperson, said: “The citizens can assess the situation on Monday but we will be there to protect our citizens. We will be on the streets protecting those who are not striking.
“If you want to go to school or work, you may do so because we will be implementing top safety for the citizens of Durban. We will make sure to protect everyone, we will even make sure public transport continues to run as usual.”
Prasheen Maharaj, president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said they condemned the proposed national shutdown.
“We believe this event has the potential to not only derail but also further harm an economy that is currently in critical condition.
“Businesses are trying to survive, and some are trying to resume their business operations following the 2021 July unrest and April/May 2022 floods, even with the current state of the economy due to the energy, water and sanitation crisis.
“We believe a crisis cannot be resolved by using the proposed approach of a shutdown. Ours is to preserve the economy and protect the sustainability of businesses.”
He said the threat of a national shutdown had the potential to encourage acts of violence and potential vandalism of property and businesses, which was unlawful.
“Not only that, but the intimidation tactics that are being driven and displayed by the EFF, enforcing and threatening businesses to shut down, are unconstitutional and are infringing on human rights. This cannot be allowed, nor must it be tolerated in a democratic country like ours.
“The unrest of July 2021 saw many people, particularly in our townships, lose jobs and their lives. To this day some have never been accounted for. This fact alone is reason enough for us not to allow this shutdown to proceed.
“It is a threat to businesses in our townships, informal businesses, SMMEs and more importantly it is a threat to human lives. Our infrastructure is destroyed, the energy, water and sanitation crises are getting worse by the day, we are already hanging on by a thread.”
Maharaj said the SANDF should be deployed to provide support and protection for businesses. In addition, metro police and the SAPS should co-ordinate their efforts with private security companies to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach.
The KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison was approached for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, said the group was monitoring the situation through its Business Intelligence Centre and had already identified possible high-risk provinces.
“We will give the SAPS our full co-operation and assist where needed with both tactical land and air support. We will also advise customers where necessary of any high-risk areas, dangerous situations and no-go areas.”