National shutdown: SACCI says unhappiness with Ramaphosa should be expressed through ballot box
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry has joined the chorus of organisations and political parties expressing their opposition to Monday’s planned national shutdown.
The EFF-led protest is meant to called for an end to load shedding and the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
SACCI’s Alan Mukoki says the national shutdown comes at a time when the economy is already struggling.
“We think that it is not a very good thing to do as our economy is at a very precarious stage of recovery, jobs are being shed and you cannot now be calling on a shutdown. We have also heard that the other reason of the shutdown is to get rid of the president. There is a political process to do that, which is called a ballot box at election time. So if you want a change in the government you articulate that through elections”.
Mukoki says they are concerned that the EFF could lose control of the crowd.
“We are very concerned that when you call a very big crowd like that it’s very easy to lose control of the crowd and you can’t then turn around tomorrow and blame other agents provocateurs who joined your march. You should know today that this is something that is a possibility.
“The threats of businesses shutting down, kids not going to school, parents not going to work, productivity suffers which will lead to the economy being strained.”
EFF leader Julius Malema has promised that the shutdown will be peaceful.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says lawlessness will not be tolerated.
"It is also the organiser's responsibility to ensure we are supported, and demonstrators abide by the law and that the law of the country is compiled and NatJOINTS will not tolerate any form of criminality. It is therefore important to know that the contravening the law will be dealt with."
ALSO READ:
