EFF THANKS THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR HEEDING THE CALL FOR THE NATIONAL SHUTDOWN
Monday, 20 March 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) extends its gratitude to the people of South Africa who heeded the call for the National Shutdown which was held today on the 20th of March 2023.
The EFF held protests across the length and breadth of the country, calling for the return of electricity and the immediate resignation of the imperialist puppet President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. From midnight, the clarion call was answered, and masses headed to the streets, particularly the youth.
The National Shutdown was an expression of the frustrations of our people against high levels of crime, Gender-Based Violence, unemployment, load-shedding and the lack of service delivery that defines the lives of the poor in South Africa.
The day was marked by protests across the nation, key of which were led by the Officials of the EFF. The President and Commander in Chief Julius Malema led demonstrations in the City of Tshwane, culminating in a sit-in outside the official residence of Ramaphosa, Mahlamba-Ndlopfu. The Deputy President Floyd Shivambu led demonstrations in the City of Johannesburg and the Secretary General Marshall Dlamini led protests in eThekwini. The National Chairperson Veronica Mente led demonstrations in the City of Cape Town, while the Deputy Secretary General Poppy Mailola led the protests in Kimberly and the Treasurer General Omphile Maotwe led the demonstrations in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga.
All of these protests were not only successful, but were not marked by a single incident of violence despite the massive fear-mongering by the State. The most damage was actually done by trigger happy police and the state itself, which has needlessly spent R166 562 058 on a month long deployment of the army.
Yet another testament to the success of the National Shutdown, is that ESKOM was able to suspend load shedding due to lower than anticipated demand for electricity. This is simply because no major industry operated today, and a majority of businesses heeded the call to close in anticipation of the shutdown.
Buses and taxis did not operate in their majority, as the malls, shopping centres and taxi ranks were empty. The trucks which usually transport the minerals of this country to the harbours were on a standstill, and numerous fuel stations were not operational.
The people of South Africa have lost so much faith in Ramaphosa, that the message of the EFF that the country would not operate, was more assuring and believable than the meaningless assurances of Cyril Ramaphosa and his cabinet combined.
The EFF commends all disciplined ground forces for executing the program with the utmost diligence and serving humble pie to those who regard black people as hooligans who have not propensity to express themselves peacefully.
Today was only the beginning, let us all continue to intensify the calls for the immediate resignation of Cyril Ramaphosa on the picket lines, in the business sector and in governance. It is our duty to defend our nation from criminality and incompetence.
It's Now Or Never! Ramaphosa Must And Will Be Removed From Office!
Statement issued by the EFF, 20 March 2023
