EFF national shutdown: Gauteng courts go virtual
Court proceedings set down for Monday in Gauteng will take place virtually amid anticipated disruptions caused by the planned national shutdown.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has warned it will bring the country to a standstill in its call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
A notice from the office of the Gauteng deputy judge president Roland Sutherland directs judges to make the relevant arrangements and for litigants to take note of the links for the virtual hearings.
This comes as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) earlier assured South Africans that plans are in place to thwart any potential lawlessness linked to the protest.
Speaking at the post-cabinet briefing in Pretoria on Thursday morning, Police Minister Bheki Cele said government services will operate normally.
“All government services will be available as normal. Heads of government departments and accounting officers in the public service will continue to ensure that our citizens receive the services they expect from their government,” he said.
While there were fears strikes over the wage impasse between government and public sector employees, especially those affiliated with police unions, would amplify the EFF’s protest, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the parties had come to an agreement.
“You are aware that Nehawu was on strike and that there was a threat of a strike by Popcru and Sapu. The Nehawu strike is off, they signed yesterday, and the agreement is that today they are back at work. Sapu signed the agreement yesterday that they are no longer going on strike. We are waiting for Popcru, but they had committed that they will sign.”
READ: ‘Monday will be normal working day’ – Cele
At the same time, concerns have been raised over the availability of transport and access to the road.
On Thursday, bus service Putco announced the suspension of services on Monday following a safety and risk assessment. However, taxi associations SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the National Taxi Association (NTA) assured customers that they will be in full service.
“We, therefore, advise our members to ensure the safety of our passengers and drivers by closely monitoring the situation on the ground. Equally so, we respect the right to strike and expect the marches to reciprocate by respecting the constitution-prescribed freedoms,” read a statement by the NTA.
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