TENSIONS are mounting ahead of Friday’s nationwide protests. Yesterday a message did the rounds on WhatsApp alleging that ‘at the looks of things they heading for war’ [sic]. The message advised people to ‘rather be safe’ and ‘[k]eep your kids indoor’. It said that there would be no public transportation on Friday and that vehicles would be stoned and tyres set alight.
The threatening message alleged that it was from East Coast Radio. The popular station quickly responded on their Facebook page, distancing themselves from the message and stating that it was false.
A march planned by the Democratic Alliance has been given the go ahead for April 7. It will start from the Durban Circus site and people will march to the Ampitheatre Park along North Beach’s promenade.
On Monday, the government responded to the social media calls for a national shutdown on Friday by saying that it would be a ‘normal working day’. Government spokesperson, Donald Liphoko said, “The social media messages are sent to bring the image of South Africa into disrepute, to disturb the economy and to create the impression of disorder and fear in communities.”
