The Western Cape Government has threatened to pursue a lawsuit against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) while the City of Cape Town files for a precautionary interdict in an attempt to stop the nationwide protest set to take place on Monday, 20 March.
Also read: EFF calls for a national shutdown
In a statement issued on Monday, Premier Alan Winde warned the party and its supporters to respect the rule of law and refrain from “destructive action.”
“Threats of violence, looting of businesses, intimidation and disruption of services is totally unacceptable. The EFF has the constitutional right to protest, but it is intolerable for them to threaten the constitutional rights of other citizens, especially where essential services such as individual safety, healthcare, and education are concerned,” the statement said.
“This protest, as misguided as it is, should only proceed with the law.” Winde added: “Videos of EFF members and Party leader Julius Malema circulating on social media are tantamount to threats of unrest and incitement of violence. I will not stand for this.”
The Western Cape Government said the matter will be treated with seriousness, and it will not “allow this culture of fear being created by the EFF to take hold.”
“On Friday, 10 March the Western Cape Departments of Health and Social Development were granted an interdict by the Western Cape High Court against NEHAWU workers who were threatening essential services in our province, and we will not hesitate to act in a similar manner in this situation.”
Also read: Western Cape Government granted interdict against NEHAWU protesters
Winde stressed that there is a need for more focus on economic growth following the present signs of recovery despite the energy crisis, job creation and the free will of movement and access to basic needs without restrictions.
“We grow our economic freedom by opening up our society not shutting it down.”
Winde concluded by urging that the South African government intervene and stop the EFF from proceeding with the shutdown, adding that “it serves no constructive purpose, and taking into account the recent illegal actions by trade union NEHAWU, will only exacerbate an already incendiary situation”.
According to IOL, the spokesperson for the EFF in the Western Cape, Wadile Kabisi, said the party was not intimidated by the Western Cape government’s threat of legal action.
Kabisi added that the shutdown was against loadshedding, which affected everyone, including businesses.
In a separate statement received from the mayor’s office, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said “The City is this morning filing an application for a precautionary interdict against any attempts to incite or participate in looting, vandalism and disruption as part of the EFF’s ‘national shutdown’ protest”.
Also read: EFF advises businesses to close to avoid losses during the national shutdown
According to the City, the interdict is a precautionary measure to ensure the organisers and participants stay within the confines of the law and are permitted to march to the National Parliament Buildings to hand over a memorandum.
The mayor said while the City fully recognises the right to democratic protest, it “will not hesitate to lay a civil claim against the EFF given their public threats made to date”.
In another statement, Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader John Steenhuisen will announce urgent legal steps against the EFF’s national shutdown, as well as a mechanism to empower South African citizens to hold any EFF member accountable for any and all damage inflicted upon public and private property.
Also read:
EFF Shutdown: It “will be business as usual”, warns Cape Town Mayor
Picture: @54Battalion / Twitter
