South Africa’s second-largest opposition party, EFF, claimed that some of its leaders and members have been intimidated by law enforcement officials hours before the start of the party’s so-called national shutdown on 20 March.
The EFF claimed law enforcement officials conducted overnight “illegal raids, searches and seizure” at the homes of its members in Soweto and Alexandra.
Speaking to News24 on Monday morning, EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said:
… we are concerned by some of the reports we are receiving of intimidation.
Law enforcement officials were going door-to-door without warrants, searching and seizing placards from some of our members, asking them who the leaders of the protests are. It’s unacceptable.
Posting on Twitter, EFF Member of Parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, expressed the same concerns. He wrote:
They raided our homes with vigilante groups in Soweto, Alex, and other townships the whole night. They are arresting, harassing, and shooting at fighters.
But we are still on top. They have guns and the military on their side. We have conviction. No retreat. It’s not business as usual.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo declined to comment on the matter saying communications regarding the EFF shutdown have been centralised to the national SAPS.
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