The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s planned protest is a few hours away and mayhem has already already reported in some parts of the country. The red berets are calling for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the end of load shedding and other pressing issues in the country.
Police in North West are on high alert as intelligence services have received information some people are already gathering debris and other objects they will to use to block roads during Monday’s national shutdown.The North West is preparing to shut down 30 major taxi routes amid hit squads and organised crime. The Deputy Police Commissioner in the province General Patrick Asaneng has vowed to be watchful of any violence that may erupt. Police say they are prepared to ensure that no road blockades happen.
Asaneng says they are concerned about individuals who are already gathering and taking debris and things that they intend to use as barricades. Residents are doing all this despite assurances that the protest will be peaceful. Asaneng says what the people are already painting a picture that is saying “total shutdown, per se”. “It is unlawful because these people seems to be indicating that you want to disrupt normal services. There can never be a shutdown of services which can be categorised as peaceful or as legal,” says Asaneng.
It looks like North West residents are planning destruction which President Cyril Ramaphosa said will not be tolerated. Where a tyre burn in the road a pothole will start! When tyres burn, people will be restricted from free movement. When tyres burn, the country will be brought to a standstill because ports in and out of townships will be closed. There have been several reports of tyres being confiscated from numerous townships around the country.
On Friday, The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure updated the nation on safety and security measures in place ahead of the national shutdown. We are still waiting for SANDF to release a statement on where it stands. On Saturday, the SANDF recalled the statement that it would be deployed foe the shutdown. It promised to release another statement in due course.
