African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has once again slammed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for its national shutdown plan, saying the party is trying to seek relevance by promoting anarchy.
EFF national shutdown
The red berets, along with other civil society organizations, plan to take to the streets on Monday in a national shutdown against the burden shedding and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leader of the country.
READ ALSO: EFF urges citizens to occupy the streets during the national shutdown
While the EFF has the right to express its discontent through protests, Mbalula said the party is encouraging anarchy by trying to stop the country’s economy.
“Shutdowns are not the solution to solving people’s problems in a democracy,” said Mbalula.
“To call for the closure of the country, we condemn it. You organize anarchy and lawlessness in a democratic dispensation because you want to get political support and plant the seeds for an uprising, a political strike in the country, or – if you like – and [Arab] spring.”
Mbalula said this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Mamelodi, north-east of Tshwane, where the ANC launched what it called a ‘people’s march’.
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The protest is expected to take place on Friday and is aimed at highlighting service delivery challenges in the City of Tshwane under the DA-led coalition.
2024 poll
Instead of calling for a national shutdown, Mbalula said the EFF should allow voters to have a say in Ramaphosa’s presidency and lighten the load during next year’s anticipated general election.
“Shutting down a sick economy is a bit overboard in terms of our democracy,” he said.
The ANC Secretary General added that the EFF will be held accountable if there is loss of life or intimidation of citizens and business owners during the protests.
“No South African should be violated to go to work and children go to school on Monday. It should be business as usual.
“Those who walk must walk. But to close the economy of anarchy in the highest order,” said Mbalula.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday announced that it has filed an urgent interdict in the North Gauteng High Court to force the EFF to remain within legal limits during the national shutdown.
The DA also charged the EFF to hold parties responsible for any damage to people and property.
The EFF, on the other hand, described the DA’s move as racist and reckless. The party argued that the protests would be characterized by violence and intimidation.
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