City of uMhlathuze imposes conditions ahead of EFF march

AS members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) plan to hold demonstrations on Monday (tomorrow), the City of uMhlathuze has imposed conditions to regulate the activities of the party during the planned shutdown.

Addressing convenors of the EFF of the uMhlathuze jurisdiction in a letter on Sunday (today), City municipal manager, NG Zulu said the city had not received any application from the EFF for prior permission to hold the protest action within the municipal area, which is a legal requirement.

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“Therefore, the City of uMhlathuze requires the convener to advise the municipality of the time and place where the gathering will assemble; the time and place where the gathering will end; the intended route that will be followed and; the duration of the planned protest action,” said Zulu in the city letter.

As per the ruling on 18 March, the Gauteng High Court interdicted and prohibited the EFF and its members from;
1. shutting down schools, retail stores, businesses, trade and public roads;
2. calling for, promoting, instigating or organising the blocking of roads or railway lines and/or the shutting down of schools, retail stores, businesses, and traders;
3. organising or participating in, or inciting others to organise or participate in any unlawful conduct and/or unlawful protest action and;
4. inciting violence.

“The City of uMhlathuze will be indemnified against any claims of whatsoever the nature thereof by or on behalf of any person in respect of or arising out of loss, damage or injury which may arise from the activities of the gathering, irrespective of whether such loss, damage or injury occurs by accident, negligence or for any reason whatsoever,’ said Zulu in the city letter.

In addition to the court order, the municipality directed the local EFF conveners to observe and comply with certain conditions.

“ No marching or protest action shall be permitted within 50 metres of any place of business or school. All lawful instructions and commands issued by the traffic officers or the SAPS must be complied with.

There shall be no form of weapons, whether traditional or otherwise, including any item likely to cause fires, except for the authorised security personnel.

The conditions are legally binding on all persons participating in the gathering/protest action. “Failure to comply will constitute a contravention of the Regulation of Gatherings Act of 1993,” said Zulu.

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