City of Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, took to Twitter on Friday to warn EFF, which plans to hold a national shutdown on 20 March, that the Mother City “will be open for business as usual” and no violence will be tolerated.
Also read: EFF calls for a national shutdown
As reported by The EFF are calling for a national shutdown in protest to the increased loadshedding, and for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
The mayor’s warning follows after the Western Cape’s EFF members delivered letters to several offices and institutions to warn them of the shutdown to be held on Monday, 20 March.
In Cape Town, EFF’s Unathi Ntame delivered a letter directly to the mayor as well, notifying him about the shutdown.
“We wanted to inform [Hill-Lewis] and everyone concerned that there’s no work … there’s no one that must come to work – security guards, cleaners and the employees of the City of Cape Town because that day is the shutdown,” said Ntame.
Also read: EFF advises businesses to close to avoid losses during the national shutdown
To which Hill-Lewis responded with a stern warning, saying: “Quite a few business owners and employers have been in touch about the rumours of a so-called national shutdown. Let me say, in Cape Town it will be business as usual”
“We will do what it takes to make sure kids get to school on time, that workers can get to work, that our economy can keep running”.
“To those of you who think it is a good idea to organise a national shutdown – our economy is already brought to its knees by loadshedding, corruption and so much else. What you are doing is hurting our economy, hurting businesses, and hurting workers even more, exactly the opposite of what you claim to stand for,” continued Hill-Lewis.
“Don’t be stupid, don’t organise a national shutdown and don’t try that nonsense in Cape Town.”
Take a look:
I’ve heard of a so-called “shutdown” planned for 20 March across SA.
Cape Town is focused on growing the economy to get more people into jobs & will not allow violence to disrupt this.
We will be open for business as usual. Those responsible for violence will be arrested. pic.twitter.com/bRvRrrIpYC
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) March 10, 2023
Also read:
Western Cape government granted interdict against NEHAWU protesters
Picture: @geordinhl / Twitter