Mpumalanga premier provides update on national shutdown
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane said there were no major disturbances reported in all 17 subregions in the province during the nationwide EFF shutdown today, March 20, and said there were only about nine people arrested thus far.
The Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, gave a public update on the national EFF shutdown on Monday March 20 at the N4 roadblock at Mataffin.
The premier went out to the roadblock with the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, and the MEC for public works, roads and transport, Mandla Ndlovu.
The purpose of the visit was to check on the status of the protest and to assess the safety of communities.
During the briefing, Mtshweni-Tsipane said she can confirm that there had been an attempt in KaNyamazane last night, March 19, to burn tyres on the road. “The two suspects were apprehended. Today we have been up and down to make sure we do random spot-checking across the province. All 17 subregions have been attended to. In Volksrust there was an attempt to close the road. About seven suspects were apprehended, one of them a councillor.
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“If there were any marches done up to this far, we can say they were done peacefully and with respect to the rules of law. We will not stop to monitor until everyone is safe.”
Mtshweni-Tsipane said safety is critical and a priority as commuters travel across the province. “What we are doing today is to ensure the safety of our passengers. They must arrive alive at all times. This is definitely not about the EFF shutdown. Of course, if they had to come here and do anything untoward, they will be attended to. For as long as they embark on a peaceful march, there’s nothing wrong about that. The drivers must adhere to the road and safety regulations at all times.”
Read more in the print edition of Mpumalanga News.
