South African News

Ramaphosa Deploys Over 3000 Soldiers To Quash National Shutdown Protests

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 SANDF members countrywide ahead of the planned National Shutdown.

THESE 3 474 SOLDIERS WILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL NEXT MONTH

These soldiers will be working with SAPS to prevent crime and preserve law and order and the deployment is set to cost over R166m and will be in place until 17 April 2023.

ALSO READ: Julius Malema Calls For National Shutdown Over Continued Load Shedding

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Sunday evening said it rejects the deployment.

THE DEPLOYMENT IS SET TO COSTS OVER R166M

“The dictator Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3 474 members of the SANDF to suppress peaceful protests against his failed Presidency and crush the calls for his resignation. This act demonstrates the bloodthirsty nature of the current government and the intolerance of the ruling party to dissent and opposition.”

EFF

It furthermore said South Africa has degenerated into a military state and the deployment of the army to suppress the Constitutional Right to protest means they have returned to the dark days of Apartheid.

THE EFF REJECTS THE DEPLOYMENT

“The current deployment of the army and law enforcement agencies has surpassed that of the Apartheid regime in the 1980s during the State of Emergency, meaning Ramaphosa has declared war on the people of South Africa.”

THE EFF ACCUSED POLICE OF SEACHING HOMES AND CARS WITHOUT WARRANTS

The EFF also accused the police of searching the homes and cars of citizens without warrants.

“The scenes of the military personnel descending into the townships of South Africa policemen searching the homes and cars of citizens without warrants or just cause and shutting down tyre shops reveal a paranoid government that is capable of grave human rights violations.

“The international community ought to pay close attention to South Africa on 20 March 2023 because the government of SA has prepared itself to commit a massacre in the defence of a corrupt President.”

EFF

HERE ARE 13 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW – NATIONAL SHUTDOWN:

EFF leader Julius Malema said that there would be no starting or end point for the demonstration.

  • Clinics and hospitals will be accessible
  • No starting or ending point
  • This is a protest, NOT a march.
  • No permit was granted for National Shutdown
  • Businesses warned NOT to open on Monday.
  • Promises of no violence -‘This is a peaceful protest’.
  • Various sectors of society, including SANTACO, the National Taxi Association, the local Taxi Association, the Road Freight Association and organised structures within communities, have rejected the call to shutdown.
  • All Government services will be available as normal.
  • Law enforcement officers will be out in their numbers
  • PUTCO bus services is suspended for Monday.
  • Roads will be empty and strategic routes leading to Midrand and Sandton will be CLOSED on Monday.
  • The SANDF elements will be deployed under “Operation PROSPER” as from March 17 to April 17, 2023.
  • Security will also be heightened at all South Africa’s ports on entry to ensure travel in and out of the country is not disturbed.

 

“Fighters, wherever they are, are just going to gather and protest. It’s as simple as that, it doesn’t have transport or a route. The same way they protest in their communities, they will protest like that on that day. It’s a protest, not a march. It does not have a formula.

 

“If the Union Buildings is such a centre, then we will meet there. The branch of the EFF in that area must make sure they embark on an activity that demonstrates they must be heard.”

Julius Malema

National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far
National Shutdown: Here are 13 things you need to know so far Photo: Twitter

THESE ROADS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NO-GO ZONES THUS FAR:

The EFF identified these roads so far as no-go zones on Monday:

  • Midrand offramps from N1, to New Road, Allandale,
  • N3, will be closed off,
  • Grayston Drive, Marlboro,
  • Jan Smut Avenue, Empire Road
  • Joe Slovo

POLICE ARE ON HIGH ALERT

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said said that the national joint operational and intelligence structure is on high alert for any signs of unrest on the day of the planned EFF protest.

“We will not tolerate any lawlessness and any act of criminality if people are found to be looting, if people are found to be distracting any property whether be it private or public property. They will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.”

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe

The South African

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