NATIONAL SHUTDOWN: Bheki Cele addresses the country

Police Minister Bheki Cele lays down the law as cops gear up for EFF shutdown. Police Minister Bheki Cele on Thursday addressed the country on matters concerning the national shutdown.

The police minister says 20 March 2023 will be a normal working day. And no one will be intimidated or threatened. He assured South Africans of their safety on Monday. This after a planned shutdown has been announced by the EFF calling for the end of loadshedding and resignation of President Ramaphosa.

Bheki Cele says no one will be intimidated and restricted from moving freely as all ports of entry will be open/functioning. The minister says not everything on social media must be taken seriously. And anyone planning to cause disruptions will be dealt with. Minister says the likes of Santaco are not in support of the shutdown. Monday will be a normal working day. And no one will be intimidated or threatened. Law enforcement will be ready should there be any issues.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured South Africans that the planned shutdown by the EFF won’t bring the country to a standstill. Bheki Cele says they will not stop anyone from protesting and warned protesters that they must ensure that they protest in a peaceful manner. “No form of violence and criminality will be tolerated”, he added. In short, Bheki Cele just said “You dare close the roads and disturb the order of the day, heads will roll”.

Furthermore, Cele said they are aware of social media posts that people are being mobilised. “The majority of society has rejected this call. This includes taxi and road freight organisations. People should not believe everything they read and see on social media. The situation is closely monitored by police across the country,” he said.

I hope Bheki Cele is not undermining this planned protest. Julius Malema made strong statements on Wednesday and it’s frightening. Can someone please tell Bheki Cele to do his planning already for this EFF march. He must not get caught with his socks down and come up with a myriad of excuses and blame intelligence and his school principle for lack of planning!

Meanwhile, the ANC wants EFF leaders to be held personally liable for any destruction, or deaths that might occur during the party’s national shutdown. According to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, the red berets’ call for disruptions to the economic workings of the country amounts to anarchy.