With the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) “mother of all shutdowns” underway, OR Tambo International Airport is heavily guarded with several gates closed and locked.
The SANDF and police manned the barricades.
National shutdown update
On Sunday, Parliament said it had been informed by President Cyril Ramaphosa of “the employment of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) for service, in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), to prevent and fight crime as well as maintenance; and maintain the law and order in South Africa in Operation Prosper”.
SANDF operations cost R166 million
“Correspondence to the Presiding Officer, dated 17 March 2023, indicates 3,474 SANDF members are employed, effective from 17 March 2023 to 17 April 2023,” parliament said.
“The work is in line with Section 201(2) (a) of the South African Constitution of 1996 and Section 19 of the Defense Act of 2002.”
The operation is estimated to cost more than R166 million.
OR Tambo road is temporarily closed
On Sunday night, OR Tambo announced it would temporarily close the passenger departure terminal and pick-up road, as a precautionary measure.
According to the police, they only allowed the departure and departure of the passenger terminal and no one arrived.
In a statement released on Airlink’s website, it said it was a security measure ahead of a planned national shutdown.
The EFF is planning a national protest against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the energy crisis.
RELATED: EFF says Ramaphosa’s SANDF call for national shutdown is ‘bloodthirsty’
Business as usual at the airport
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which manages the largest airport in the country, said all nine airports around the country will operate as usual on Friday, however, with increased vigilance.
In the statement, it said vehicles will be diverted to Parkade 2 South Level 2 for pick-up and drop-off purposes.
Meanwhile, emergency vehicles, diplomats, and law enforcement will be directed to separate parking lots.