EFF protest against Ramaphosa, load shedding picks up pace
The nationwide protests by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) began to pick up steam in several cities by early Monday afternoon.
EFF members, supported by several other organisations, took to the streets from midnight on Monday calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down over load shedding, the high cost of living and other socio-economic challenges plaguing South Africans.
The protest started with chaotic scenes in Braamfontein, Johannesburg after the police arrested several students who held a night vigil in a build-up to the shutdown.
The students have since been released.
AS RECEIVED: Police fired rubber bullets as more students gather for the night vigil ahead of the #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/173kfqle7H
— Anastasi Mokgobu (@AnastasiMokgobu) March 19, 2023
#NationalShutdown All students who were arrested in Braamfontein last night have been released.
— Anastasi Mokgobu (@AnastasiMokgobu) March 20, 2023
đź“·EFF pic.twitter.com/B6oo0gh7DQ
Party leader Julius Malema led a march in Tshwane, while the party's deputy president Floyd Shivambu joined a march from Alexandra to Sandton.
The party's Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini led the protest in KwaZulu-Natal.
Former MKMVA and ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus, who is now a leader of his own party called the African Radical Economic Transformation Alliance, said the party joined the shutdown to support the call for an end to Ramaphosa’s time at the Union Buildings.
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania's national chairperson Sbusiso Xaba also added his voice to the call for Ramaphosa to resign.
South African Federation of Trade Unions spokesperson Trevor Shaku said the trade union federation joined the shutdown to register their frustration and discontent over the high levels of crime which, he says, is the direct result of the socio-economic hardships experienced by many.
Former MKMVA and ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus, who is now a leader of his own party called the African Radical Economic Transformation Alliance, said the party joined the shutdown to support the call for an end to Ramaphosa’s time at the Union Buildings.
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania's national chairperson Sbusiso Xaba also added his voice to the call for Ramaphosa to resign.
South African Federation of Trade Unions spokesperson Trevor Shaku said the trade union federation joined the shutdown to register their frustration and discontent over the high levels of crime which, he says, is the direct result of the socio-economic hardships experienced by many.
WATCH: Areta’s Carl Niehaus says they are here to support the call for an end to the Ramaphosa regime. Niehaus’ spoken out against the deployment of the SANDF and law enforcement officers. #EFFNationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/UlUmGh9NCv
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 20, 2023
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania's national chairperson Sbusiso Xaba also added his voice to the call for Ramaphosa to resign.
South African Federation of Trade Unions spokesperson Trevor Shaku said the trade union federation joined the shutdown to register their frustration and discontent over the high levels of crime which, he says, is the direct result of the socio-economic hardships experienced by many.
South African Federation of Trade Unions spokesperson Trevor Shaku said the trade union federation joined the shutdown to register their frustration and discontent over the high levels of crime which, he says, is the direct result of the socio-economic hardships experienced by many.WATCH: Sbusiso Xaba PAC national chairperson adds his voice to the call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign: “Cyril knows the money. He must go home and start preparing how he’s going to feel comfortable in his cell” #EFFNationalShutdown #PhalaPhala pic.twitter.com/GEHdnmP2Jb
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 20, 2023
WATCH: Saftu’s Trevor Shaku says the trade union is here to register its frustration and discontent over the high levels of crime which, he says, is the direct result of the socio-economic hardships in the country #EFFNationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/UQvMngmAQZ
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 20, 2023
WATCH: There’s an air of excitement here at Church Square in Pretoria where demonstrators are eager to march in the #EFFNationalShutdown. It’s expected the crowd here will make their way to the Union Buildings pic.twitter.com/UQdW7gX1rT
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 20, 2023
Down the road from Church Square UDM supporters are picketing outside the High Court where the case brought by their party and 18 others,to have load shedding declared unconstitutional,is being heard virtually. SANDF have been deployed to national key points #EFFNationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/dxjafZWK2y
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 20, 2023