The DA has warned the EFF ahead of a planned nationwide shutdown on Monday.
This after the EFF called on business people to close shop on Monday or face consequences. The EFF will lead a shutdown in protest against loadshedding and increasing crime.
The red berets also want President Cyril Ramaphosa step down.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, DA leader John Steenhuisen said while the EFF has a right to protest, it should not threaten those who choose not to join the shutdown.
“There is mounting evidence on social media and in public statements by EFF leaders, members and supporters that they are prepared to break the law in pursuit of their political agenda,” Steenhuisen said.
“The leader of the EFF has stated in no uncertain terms that he and his organisation will not apply for any approval from municipal authorities, who are the regulating authorities assigned to enforce legislation regarding public demonstrations, gatherings, and protests.
“This shows that he and his party have no respect for the rule of law and no intention to abide by the regulations governing protest action.
“The rule of law encompasses the notion of equality before the law, and that no one can take the law into their own hands. In threatening violence and vandalism, the EFF is doing just that, taking the law into their own hands.”
He said the right to hold a peaceful protest is a legitimate constitutional right, noting that the DA will defend this right.
“But this right is not unlimited, and it can never constitute justification for criminal behaviour or behaviour that violates or threatens the rights of others.
“Just as people have the right to protest, they also have the right to not protest, the right to not associate with the protesting organisation, and the right to go to school or to work or to operate a business, and to go about their daily lives unhindered and unobstructed.”
He added that the following measures will be implemented to prevent the EFF’s shutdown from encroaching on the rights of non-protesting citizens.
• An application will be made to the court to ensure that permits are obtained for peaceful protests. This is despite the EFF’s earlier statement indicating that they will not be applying for such permits.
• A court interdict will be sought to withdraw all intimidation letters issued by the EFF leadership.
• The party’s legal team has been instructed to develop an affidavit template for business owners to report any intimidation they may face. This will enable them to press charges against the EFF’s leadership.
• A letter has been sent to Police Minister Bheki Cele highlighting a threat posed by the shutdown and urging him to issue a strong statement against it.
• A pre-emptive warning has been sent to president Ramaphosa alerting him to potential violence, vandalism, and intimidation that may occur.
• The EFF will be held accountable and charged for any damage that occurs during the shutdown.
Steenhuisen also cautioned the EFF to avoid areas where the DA governs, saying those areas will be guarded.
“Where the DA governs, it will be business as usual. Our law-enforcement and traffic services personnel will work closely with SA Police Service to maintain law and order and to hold any acts of vandalism and violence to account.
“Those responsible for vandalism or violence will be arrested. The DA is committed to creating a safe society, growing the economy, and creating an environment that is conducive to economic growth and job creation.”
EFF “threats”
According to Steenhuisen, the EFF threats include a picture on social media of an EFF Mpumalanga leader in full EFF-branded clothing posing with a semi-automatic rifle.
The picture is captioned: “By all means necessary or possible we are ready @EFFSouthAfrica.”
A video showing EFF members announcing a shutdown via loudspeaker and encouraging businesses to close shop to avoid looting is also circulating.
In the video, the EFF members can be heard saying: “We are saying to you, close down all your businesses to avoid the looting. Close down all your shops to avoid looting. Close down all your factories to avoid looting.
“Close down everything, nothing will be operating on that day, we are avoiding the looting. So, we are saying to you, come and join the march.”
According to Steenhuisen, the EFF has given the Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, a seven-day ultimatum to shut down schools, cautioning that any child wearing a school uniform on the day of the planned shutdown will be doing so at their own risk.
Additionally, Steenhuisen mentioned that a letter has been sent (by the organisers of the shutdown) to OR Tambo Airport authorities instructing them not to permit flights or business activities on the day of the protest.
He said: “The DA has been inundated with calls from concerned South Africans who have expressed their concerns and fears.
“The DA takes EFF’s threats seriously. We will not sit back and allow the EFF to threaten businesses, livelihoods, and lives.”
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