ETHEKWINI Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says any plan to shut down the country is counterproductive.
His remarks come as messages, that have been circulating on various social media platforms, called for a national shutdown on Friday, June 10, ostensibly due to the steep rise in fuel prices.
Kaunda added that Metro Police officers are on standby to respond to any ’unlawful conduct that could destabilise the economy of the city’.
LISTEN: Law enforcement on high alert over possible ‘national shutdown’
“Any protest action must be lawful and peaceful, adding that those who may want to take an advantage of the situation and break the law, will face its full might.
“The city is still reeling from the effects of the recent floods. While we are all concerned about the price of petrol, disrupting businesses and shutting down the country is counterproductive. It will reverse all the gains that we have made following disruptions related to Covid-19, the July unrest and the recent floods. The law will take its course in the event of anyone disregarding it,” said Kaunda.
Kaunda also confirmed that the municipality remains open for its normal operations tomorrow.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
