Cape Town will be open for business on Monday, vows mayor

Hill-Lewis’ comment came after EFF members in the Western Cape delivered letters to various institutions and offices to warn about the shutdown. 

The EFF is organising various marches across the country against load shedding and calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. 

“Cape Town will be open for business as usual, and authorities are well prepared and equipped to deal with what is likely to be only limited isolated attempts at disruption by the EFF. Would-be disruptors will be arrested and we are also seeking a precautionary interdict against looting, vandalism or disruptions,” said Hill-Lewis. 

The city is also seeking a court interdict against any attempts to incite or participate in looting, vandalism, and disruption during the planned protest.  

“The interdict is a precautionary measure to ensure the organisers and participants stay within the confines of the law and permit to march to the National Parliament Buildings to hand over a memorandum. The interdict also serves as firm notice that the City will not hesitate to prosecute a civil claim against the EFF should any of its public infrastructure be damaged,” said Hill-Lewis.  

He says the city will take legal action against the EFF should there be damage to caused. 

“We will ensure that Capetonians are able to go about their daily business on Monday. Should any damage to public infrastructure occur on Monday, the City will not hesitate to lay a civil claim against the EFF given their public threats made to date. We are focused on growing the economy and getting more people into work so they can earn a living and thrive: there will be no national shutdown in Cape Town.”

Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen says the national shutdown makes no sense.  

“We reject outright the EFF’s call for a ‘nationwide shutdown’. This is not just an illegal, but also a nonsensical, demand. It makes no sense at all to instigate a nationwide shutdown to protest load shedding”. 

ALSO READ: