POLOKWANE – The leadership of the EFF in Limpopo has still not divulged which “strategic points” in Polokwane will be targeted during the scheduled #NationalShutdown protest on Monday (March 20).
Instead, some members who want to remain anonymous say their withholding of information is a political move meant to protect their programme, which if divulged, would prepare members of the ruling ANC to jeopardise the initiative.
The political party plans to bring major operations in South Africa to a standstill, except for some essential services such as health care, as a call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign and to demand constant electricity supply.
Read more: ‘National shutdown to go ahead as planned’ – Malema
This morning (March 16), the provincial leg released a public statement citing that community and business organisations have been alerted to beware of the demonstration, which the leadership would not have control over participants’ reactions to operating establishments.
“We have engaged with all relevant stakeholders including businesses, traditional leaders and the taxi industry, alerting them about the planned shutdown. Posters have also been put up in all regions signalling that Limpopo will come to a standstill on Monday,” the statement read.
Provincial EFF chairperson Tshilidzi Maraga told the Polokwane Observer that different groups will occupy all public sector institutions in protest and that there are no specific set destinations or routes for the protest.
An alert issued by TopicWorx, a specialist risk advisory service, notes the following areas in Limpopo as high-risk locations:
- Polokwane
- Groblersdal
- Jane Furse
- Marble Hall
- Burgersfort
- Office of the Premier
- Mines
- Border Posts
They also note the N1, R37, R71 and N11, among others, as high-risk roads.
“Demonstrations on all major roads in Limpopo are expected during demonstrations,” their alert reads.
Maraga said they were in continuous talks with some taxi associations which she could not name to join the demonstration.
Contrast to their statement, taxi bodies Santaco and the National Taxi Alliance have distanced themselves from the shutdown.
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 16, 2023
NTA Limpopo spokesperson, Frans Kgasago saids they were not invited and therefore all of their drivers would be ferrying as per usual.
The police officer designated to liaise with media on the matter, Brig Athlenda Mathe from NatJoints says they do not know of a national shutdown but a ‘planned national protest’ which they will monitor closely for it not to get violent.
“Law enforcement agencies will execute their duties within the confines of the law. All law enforcement agencies will apply minimum force that is reasonable and necessary depending on the circumstances on the ground,” she adds.
