Malema: EFF shutdown 'most successful ever'

Malema joined hundreds of EFF members, supported by several other organisations, in a march to the Mahlamba Ndlopfu presidential residence in Tshwane on Monday. 

The protestors called on President Ramaphosa to step down over load shedding, the high cost of living and other socio-economic challenges plaguing South Africans.

Malema used the opportunity to take a swipe at Police Minister Bheki Cele - who earlier labelled the shutdown as "a non-event". 

Cele told the media on Monday morning that most people were going about their business as the EFF had failed to bring the country to a standstill.

But Malema insisted the protest was a success.

"This is the most successful shutdown ever in the history of struggle in South Africa," Malema told supporters at Church Square in Pretoria. 

"On my way here they said they are cancelling load shedding for today because there is no demand for electricity today.

"The factories are closed, and the biggest consumers of electricity are closed, that's why scientifically you should measure the success of this shutdown. Today there is no big malls,  no small mall, no shop, no factory, no school, no nothing. All of them are closed.

"In Richards Bay, there is no single truck that was seen, there is no single train that was seen today. South Africa is shut down."

Malema said some will say the shutdown was unsuccessful as there was no looting or burning of property.

"Buses and taxis are driving around the townships and cities empty, because our people have heeded the call of the EFF to not allow the country to be business as usual, and call for the resignation of Cyril Ramaphosa.

"The success of the national shutdown so far proves that our people are sick and tired of load shedding, corruption, unemployment, crime, gender-based violence and a lack of service delivery." 

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