Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen on Saturday said his party welcomed the Gauteng High Court’s decision on Monday’s national shutdown of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
This is despite rejecting the DA’s emergency ban to make the killing illegal.
The court banned violence from the EFF
The court ruling, however, states that the EFF and its members are prohibited from closing schools, shops or businesses. Nor can they stop traffic trading on public roads.
The ruling also says that EFF members cannot promote or organize blockades of roads or railway lines, as well as banning incitement to violence.
Also read: ‘We are not barbarians, but we will be militants,’ said Vavi during Monday’s national shutdown
“This decision is a victory for law and order in South Africa, and a victory for all peaceful citizens who want to work, study, and provide for their families without fear of violence, looting, and intimidation by a group of vigilantes posing as a political party,” he said. Steenhuizen.
“The DA has repeatedly stated that the EFF has the right to protest, but the party has no right to hold South African hostages while doing so.”
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The DA wants law enforcement to be on standby
Despite the ruling banning those involved in the EFF from disrupting residents and businesses from operating as usual, Steenhuisen called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure that the police and army are ready to step in if necessary.
“It is the duty of President Ramaphosa, as provided by the Constitution of the Republic, to ensure the security of the nation. We have seen in recent years how his government is not prepared to protect the citizens of South Africa from violence and vigilantism, especially during the July 2021 riots,” he said.
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The EFF has called for a national shutdown on Monday, March 20, 2023, to demand Ramaphosa’s resignation and to protest against the ongoing load strikes that South Africa has been experiencing for months.
Ramaphosa on Friday said the government “will not allow anarchy and disorder”.
Ministers in the country’s security cluster also promised to be vigilant and prevent the EFF from stopping South Africa.