Intended legal action by the DA and City of Cape Town ahead of Monday’s planned national shutdown are an “anti-democratic publicity stunt” based on “frivolous” and “misguided” claims.
Also read: EFF calls for a national shutdown
This is according to the EFF in the Western Cape in response to the CoCT’s urgent application for an interdict to in the event there is violence and looting during the march. The interdict would enable civil claims if there is damage.
This morning we have filed interdict papers against the EFF based on their intimidation & looting threats.
Peaceful protest is fine. Violence is not. In Cape Town we are building the economy, so more people can get into work. While we build, the EFF just wants to break. No! pic.twitter.com/OLcvKiEjH1
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) March 14, 2023
Yesterday, CoCT mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced that the City would be taking legal action to prevent the national shutdown amid concerns of violence and intimidation against stakeholders and business owners in the city.
However, in a statement, the EFF said that these concerns were a fallacy and emphasised that the protest would be legal and protected by the constitution.
“The EFF, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and the Land Party have all expressed their intention to form part of the National Shutdown,” stated the party. “None of these organisations, which represent both the democratic will of our people through elections and the labour sector have expressed any intention to commit criminality or violence.”
“The DA is therefore raising a false alarm because they rely on the logic of ‘Swart-Gevaar’ in which black people demonstrating against the conditions in which they live pose a threat to the status-quo.”
“More pointedly, the DA has a vested interest in the continued presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa as a puppet and mascot of their financial interests and those of their handlers. Any massive demonstration against him is a threat to their agenda to privatise all spheres of South African society.”
EFF Western Cape Provincial Chair, Cmsr Unathi Ntame responding to lies perpetuated by the Premier of the Western Cape, @alanwinde.
Nothing will deter us from going ahead with the #NationalShutdown on 20 March pic.twitter.com/wr473Xddrx
— EFF_Western Cape (@EFFWesternCape_) March 13, 2023
Taking to social media, Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, reiterated that the City would not tolerate any criminal activity on Monday and called on anyone who is being threatened or intimidated to come forward with their concerns.
“Residents and businesses are having a tough time with the cost of living,” he posted on facebook. “People simply cannot afford to shut their doors because some political party demands it.”
“Nor should they have to allow your rights to be trampled by a group of political activists showing up and making demands as we have seen in videos and photos doing the rounds and which have been sent to the City.”
I am deeply concerned by the call for a nationwide shutdown by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) planned for next Monday, 20 March.
Threats of violence, looting of businesses, intimidation, and disruption of services are totally unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/j6Xc6LylcJ
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) March 13, 2023
“The City of Cape Town will do everything it can to protect the rights of our residents and businesses, factories, farms and traders – everyone that is creating jobs and making life better for those seeking betterment.”
Smith added that the City had already started removing the illegally erected EFF posters across the city and would take the necessary action in terms of the Outdoor Signage By-law.
In 2024, we South Africans have an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to constitutional democracy and the rule of law, by turning our backs on the EFF’s politics of chaos and by instead embracing the DA’s commitment to the rule of law and a growing economy.#StopTheEFF pic.twitter.com/sRXtZWKkdM
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) March 14, 2023
“The City will monitor and act to prevent violence and if the EFF fails to ensure compliance with the law and their protests result in any violence or damage to property, the City will hold them accountable for the consequences or costs as they are being held accountable for the damages caused by EFF public riots during their protest actions in Branckenfell in November 2020.”
“If you experience any threat or intimidation at your place of work or business on 20 March, please call the City’s Public Emergency Communications Centre immediately to allow the relevant enforcement agency to react and ensure that no disruptions or public disorder takes place.”
“We will be employing various technologies, including the use of aerial monitoring and response to coordinate our response on the day.”
“To any person or group that attempts to disrupt the public order, that threatens any business owner, or intimidates any service provider, trying to force them to close their business on Monday the 20th, or any similar action: we will arrest you.”
Also read:
WC Government threatens legal action and CT mayor seeks interdict
Picture: EFFWesternCape_ / Twitter