National Shutdown: ‘The streets are calling… enough is enough’ – Malema

Julius Malema

Cape Town –  Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged South Africans to take to the streets on March 20 to protest the ongoing load shedding and call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.

In a video message posted on the party’s social media accounts, Malema called on South Africans to join the shutdown and show that they are “tired” of the ruling government.

“Now is the time to take action. The streets are calling. We all have to occupy all the streets of South Africa. Wherever you are, make your voice be heard. Enough is enough. Unemployment in South Africa cannot be tolerated anymore.

“If you are not working, it is your day to show that you are concerned. If you don’t have electricity because of Eskmo, stand up and show the ANC government that you are tired. We are tired of corruption,” said Malema.

Last week, the EFF cautioned business owners to close their businesses to avoid the risk of looting on the day.

With just a few days left to the national shutdown, party members with loud speakers reportedly warned business owners in townships to close their businesses on the day, News24. reported.

“We are saying to you close down all your businesses to avoid the looting. Close down all your shops to avoid the looting. Close down all your factories to avoid the lootings.

“Close down everything; nothing will be operating on that day; we are avoiding the looting. So, we are saying to you, come and join the march, my brother; come and join the march, my sister,” the speaker is heard saying, according to the report.

But Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said on Friday that Cape Town will be “open for business as usual” on the day.

“…Quite a few business owners and employers have been in touch about the rumours of a so-called national shutdown on 20 March. Let me say, in Cape Town, it will be business as usual.

“We will do what it takes to make sure kids get to school on time, that workers can get to work, that our economy can keep running.

“To those of you who think it is a good idea to organise a national shutdown – our economy is already brought to its knees by load shedding, corruption and so much else. What you are doing is hurting our economy, hurting businesses, and hurting workers even more, exactly the opposite of what you claim to stand for.

“Don’t be stupid, don’t organise a national shutdown and don’t try that nonsense in Cape Town,” said Hill-Lewis.

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Picture: Twitter/@EFFSouthAfrica

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu 

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