Thousands of South Africans took to the streets on Monday, 20 March, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign for alleged incompetence.
According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-authorities-arrest-87-ahead-anti-government-protest-2023-03-20/">Reuters</a>, the national shutdown was successful to the extent that many businesses were closed and workers stayed away for lack of transport.
The South African government deployed security forces to guard malls and streets to prevent any violence and looting.
In a statement, the national intelligence body NatJOINTS said that as of 10 PM, more than 550 protesters had been arrested since Sunday night on such charges as public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure and theft.
The protests, dubbed national shutdown, were led by the Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
They were protesting against the governing African National Congress (ANC)’s failure to provide reliable electricity and jobs.
Addressing a large crowd gathered at Church Square in Pretoria’s city centre before marching to the president’s office, EFF leader Julius Malema, said:
<blockquote>
We are not going to do anything. We just walk nicely and raise our concerns.
</blockquote>
The majority of EFF supporters are poor black South Africans who feel marginalised since the ANC ended white minority rule in 1994.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

"EFF National Shutdown Successful"

There was chaos at the Beitbridge Border Post on Monday as hundreds of Zimbabwean cross-border traders desperately tried to leave South Africa before a national shutdown led by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009110/hundreds-stranded-at-beitbridge">NewsDay</a>.
The EFF led by Julius Malema called for a national shutdown on 20 March to force South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, accusing him of corruption.
The protesters were also demanding the restoration of electricity and an end to load shedding.
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy secretary-general Wisbon Malaya told NewsDay that hundreds of Zimbabwean cross-border traders had their goods confiscated by South African police. Said Malaya:
<blockquote>
Actually, I am on my way from South Africa. On Friday, I witnessed the Gauteng Police arresting and confiscating the goods of street traders that are not South Africans.
On Sunday, several cross-border traders tried to come back home in a rush before the protests causing chaos at the border.
Thousands of goods such as blankets, carpets, cooking oil, yogurt, and other dairy and poultry products were confiscated.
I witnessed poor women and cross-border traders looking hopeless at the border.
One old lady fainted at the border after a load of her onions was confiscated.
There is a need to educate cross-border traders about what is allowed and not allowed at the border post, as well as how to register to trade commercially in order to operate safely.
</blockquote>
Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) executive director Samuel Wadzai said the situation in South Africa is worrisome. He said:
<blockquote>
The prevailing situation is worrying. We have seen the deployment of the military in SA, and this will severely affect cross-border traders’ ability to trade in the neighbouring country.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

EFF Shutdown: Zimbabwean Traders Lose Goods At Beitbridge Border Post

South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele and senior police officers on Monday visited the home of Nhlanhla “Lux” Dlamini following reports of a bombing incident.
According to <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/look-hawks-forensic-cops-comb-luxs-pimville-home-for-clues-after-double-bombing-f4c8aaed-de21-4d92-b63d-2b1017e08f6f">IOL</a>, it is alleged that two commercial explosives, like the ones used in mines or ATM bombings, exploded at Lux’s family home in Pimville, Soweto, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Cele said they were taking the threats seriously and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and forensic teams were deployed to the area to investigate the claims. He said:
<blockquote>
It seems minor until you see the damage… The explosives used were quite powerful. This is a form of thuggery and we hope that SAPS teams find answers. We are expecting a report from the forensic teams.
A case of public violence and malicious damage to property has been registered.
</blockquote>
Lux, who is president of the Soweto parliament and former leader of Operation Dudula, has blamed the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema for the attack.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SA: Police Minister Visits Former Operation Dudula Leader's Home After Bomb Allegations

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 <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/developing-eff-planned-shutdown-all-the-latest-news-updates-and-analysis-20230316">News24</a> on Monday morning, EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said:
<blockquote>
… 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.
</blockquote>
Posting on Twitter, EFF Member of Parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, expressed the same concerns. He wrote:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
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.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

EFF Accuses Police Of Conducting "Illegal Raids, Searches And Seizures"

South African opposition party, EFF, has condemned the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) across the country by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The deployment of more than 4 000 soldiers under Operation Prosper from 17 March to 17 April was announced on Sunday, just hours before the national shutdown announced by EFF commences.
EFF led by Julius Malema called for a national shutdown to protest continuing load shedding and call for Ramaphosa to resign.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, EFF said it rejected the deployment of the army, “South Africa has degenerated into a military state”. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) across the country, ahead of the National Shutdown on the 20th of March 2023.
The dictator Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3 474 members of the SANDF to suppress peaceful protests against his failed Presidency and crush the calls for his resignation.
This act demonstrates the bloodthirsty nature of the current government and the intolerance of the ruling party to dissent and opposition.
South Africa has degenerated into a military state, and the deployment of the army to suppress the Constitutional Right to protest, means we have returned to the dark days of Apartheid.
The current deployment of the army and law enforcement agencies has surpassed that of the Apartheid regime in the 1980s during the State of Emergency, meaning that Ramaphosa has declared war on the people of South Africa.
The scenes of military personnel descending into the townships of South Africa, policemen searching the homes and cars of citizens without warrants or just cause, and shutting down tyre shops reveal a paranoid government that is capable of grave human rights violations.
The international community ought to pay close attention to South Africa on the 20th of March 2023, because the government of South Africa has prepared itself to commit a massacre in defence of a corrupt President.
The EFF calls on the people of South Africa to come out in their numbers and join the National Shutdown.
No intimidation should prosper and we must resist the tyranny of Cyril Ramaphosa, in the same way, we resisted the Apartheid government.
No Retreat, No Surrender!
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South Africa Has Returned To The Dark Days Of Apartheid - EFF

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has deployed 3 474 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members until April 17 to assist police under Operation Prosper.
<a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-03-19-ramaphosa-deploys-more-than-3400-sandf-members-at-cost-of-r166m/">TimesLive</a> reported that Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Sunday that National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Amos Masondo were informed of the military deployment.
Mothapo said the deployment of the military is for the “prevention and combating of crime as well as maintenance, and preservation of law and order in South Africa”. Said Mathapo:
<blockquote>
The correspondence to the presiding officers, dated March 17, indicated that 3,474 members of the SANDF have been deployed, effective from March 17 to April 17.
The employment is in line with section 201(2) (a) of the constitution and section 19 of the Defence Act.
An amount of R166,562,058 is expected to be incurred for this deployment.
</blockquote>
The deployment comes a few days before a planned national shutdown on 20 March 2023.
The opposition EFF party has called for a national shutdown to protest continuing load shedding and call for Ramaphosa to resign.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SA: President Ramaphosa Deploys 3 400 Soldiers Ahead Of National Shutdown

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has authorised the EFF to proceed with the national shutdown scheduled for Monday.
This was after the DA had filed an urgent court application on Friday to declare the planned shutdown unlawful saying it wasn’t protected under a notice granted in terms of the Gatherings Act.
Judge Leicester Adams handed down judgment electronically on Saturday morning.
The court authorised the EFF to proceed with the shutdown albeit on the following conditions:
1). The EFF was prohibited from promoting, instigating or organising the blocking of roads or railway lines and any unlawful conduct, as well as inciting violence.
2). The court also ordered the EFF to inform its “members, employees and officials as well as all persons to whom it had given notice of the national shutdown” of the court order through social media, by email and by all other appropriate means available to it, by no later than 17:00 on Saturday.
Earlier, the Western Cape High Court granted an urgent ban and ordered the EFF and its supporters not to harm or threaten people and businesses during their protests. 
Judge Mark Sher issued a list of conditions after the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde applied for the restriction order.
The City and Winde said threats of harm had escalated since the City granted its march permit on 7 March.
The EFF has urged South Africans to take to the streets on Monday over load shedding and has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
The party also warned businesses to close on the day or risk being looted, according to <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/das-urgent-application-to-halt-eff-shutdown-dismissed-but-court-interdicts-any-violence-20230318">local media</a>.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is vowing swift action against any intimidation by protesters on Monday.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

National Shutdown Latest News

Latest Jobs