Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is planning a national shutdown to protest the ongoing load shedding and call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
The party blamed Ramaphosa’s administration for several socio-economic issues, including poor economic growth on the back of rolling blackouts, unemployment, and the rising costs of living.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, party leader, Julius Malema, said the national shutdown on March 20 would call for an immediate end to load shedding that was “crippling the economy and returning this country to the dark ages”.
He said the protest will bring the country’s economy to a standstill, adding that the event would make the Zuma Must Fall protest look like “Micky Mouse”.
“The national shutdown means that there will be no school, no university, factories and no business will be operating on that day.
♦️Must Watch♦️
CIC @Julius_S_Malema addressing #EFFPresser
The EFF has resolved to hold a NATIONAL SHUT DOWN TO DEMAND THE RETURN OF ELECTRICITY AND FOR THE RESIGNATION OF CYRIL RAMAPHOSA on the 20th of March 2023. pic.twitter.com/BJHldlJChc
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 29, 2023
“All municipalities and all major cities will be shut down and there will be no work on that day. All major roads will be barricaded and all ports of entry, including roads that lead to borders, will be closed…” said Malema
He said no business operation would be opened on the day and that the streets will only remain open for emergency and essential services.
Malema said the EFF was prepared to deal with law enforcement on the day if there were any threats to halt the shutdown.
“Bring your state power, we will bring our mass power,” he declared.
The march will head to the Unions Building where party national leadership will hand over the demands, he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/ @EFFSouthAfrica
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
