Attempt to petrol bomb Clicks in Emalahleni as EFF takes on retailer

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ordered its members to shut down Clicks branches nationwide, amid calls for some of its management to step down over the racist ad. 

The party’s leadership was also deployed at major outlets to force the retailer's doors closed.   

Police in Mpumalanga have confirmed an attempt to bomb a Clicks store in Emalahleni in the earlier hours of Monday morning. 

“We received information that a group of unknown men arrived at this particular shop and threw a petrol bomb at it, however only the windows cracked. The shop itself did not catch fire so we have opened a case of malicious damage to property,” said police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi. 

Hlathi added that no other incidents were reported across the province. 

Meanwhile in Gauteng, a number of stores were also barricaded by the red berets.

EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu arrived earlier at Sandton City, north of Johannesburg, giving directive to halt operations at the store.

“They must disclose the name of the company that did that advert and they must show evidence that they have taken action against everyone this is involved in doing so and unless they do that. Clicks will not open,” he told media outside the closed store. 

“We are not going to allow racism and we are going to fight it with whatever thing possible.” 

He also denied giving any instruction for the protests to turn violent, adding that petrol bombing of the Emalahleni branch was unfortunate.  

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