ANC Slams Opposition EFF's Call For Nationwide Shutdown

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has slammed the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for announcing a nationwide shutdown on Monday (March 20).

ANC's spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said on Wednesday that this nationwide shutdown will not help the country in any way and asked the citizens of South Africa to go out on the streets in order to "resist criminal activity masquerading as legitimate attempts to drive away foreign nationals."

The spokesperson praised those people who will not allow their voices to be silenced by anarchy and violence. She added, "We commend organs of civil society who have not hesitated in the past to denounce similar attempts to cripple our country in their name," TimesLive reported.

Motsiri noted that everyone has the right to march and protest in the country to make their voice heard, however, "if such march advocates anarchy and lawlessness and seeks to undermine the rule of law by infringing on the rights of others, we must condemn such a protest."

She further added that EFF's plan to march on Monday is not revolutionary, adding that "these attempts at insurrection and overthrow of a democratically elected president from a party that has failed to garner more than 6% of the national vote must be exposed for what they are."

The spokesperson urged everyone not to get tricked by such party and avoid "supporting anarchy and violence under the pretext of service delivery."

Motsiri pointed out that South Africans are peace-loving and the ones who are genuinely looking forward to the country's development will not support this nationwide shutdown.

Considering the economic crisis in the country following the COVID-19 pandemic, the spokesperson noted that the "economic reconstruction and recovery plan" made by the government, requires support from all citizens in the country, hinting that this kind of shutdown will impact the economy.

Ahead of ANC, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also slammed the protest and announced that the city will remain open for business as usual.

"Everyone has the right to democratically protest in South Africa, but it is undemocratic and unlawful to threaten a shutdown of public life and for businesses to stay closed or face dire consequences," Cape Town Mayor said.

Hill-Lewis' comments came after audio surfaced online, in which EFF members can be heard saying over a loudspeaker that everyone should keep their businesses shut on Monday in order to avoid looting.

"We are saying to you close down all your businesses to avoid the looting. Close down all your shops to avoid looting. Close down all your factories to avoid the looting," they said. "Close down everything. Nothing will be operating on that day. We are avoiding looting. We are saying to you come and join the march, my brother. Come and join the march, my sister."

EFF announced the national shutdown to protest against the load-shedding crisis in the country and President Cyril Ramaphosa. During the protest, EFF will be demanding Ramaphosa's resignation.

South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) and small political parties like the United Democratic Movement (UDM) will also join the protest.