South African law enforcement agencies are taking a threatened “national shutdown” rumours, under the banner of the “Ramaphosa Must Fall” campaign, on Monday seriously.
Premier Sihle Zikalala said they have alerted law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation, should the need arise on Monday
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala has reacted to the rumours of a planned shutdown on Monday, 23 August 2021, and has called for calm.
Word of the shutdown has been spread on social media and while Zikalala has said the province would operate as normal on the day, they were not taking the rumour lightly.
The province is already recovering from the aftermath of the July riots, which have negatively its economy, with businesses forced to close and well over 120 000 jobs lost.
“As far as government is concerned, [Monday] is a normal working day. We call for calm as we are not aware of anyone who is authorised to carry out a shutdown of businesses [on Monday] or any other time. We advise employers and society in general to conduct their business as normal but exercise extra vigilance.”
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala
Zikalala said as a government, they remain willing to engage and listen to people’s grievances.
“Protests and marches are legal in South Africa, which means that they must be conducted in terms of the law and national lockdown regulations. This right must never be used to infringe on the freedom of others,” the premier said.
KZN LAW ENFORCEMENT ON STANDBY
Premier Sihle Zikalala said they have already alerted the provincial law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation, should the need arise.
“We are in the process of economic recovery and rebuilding of the province following the recent civil unrest. We need to protect and save jobs and livelihoods of citizens. We must not be distracted from our mission which is to reignite economic growth and to create much-needed jobs,” he said.
The July riots made global headlines. They started out as semi-violent demonstrations demanding former president Jacob Zuma’s release from prison in KZN, but soon morphed into riots which saw shopping malls and other establishments being targeted. The unrest soon spread to parts of Gauteng after which the violence escalated. More than 330 people were killed in the chaos.
Law enforcement agencies on high alert amid ‘national shutdown’ threats
Police said security forces are on high alert and ready to ensure the safety of all South Africans amid threats of a national shutdown.
Security forces say they are on high alert and ready to maintain stability in the country amid threats of a national shutdown on Monday.
Law enforcement agencies said they had put measures in place through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.
“The NatJOINTS is aware of inflammatory messages on various social media platforms advocating for violence. Those behind these messages are warned that inciting violence is a criminal offence. Members of the public are cautioned against spreading such divisive messages,” said NatJOINTS spokesperson Lt-Col Robert Netshiunda on Sunday.
Netshiunda said equally, a different set of messages is also doing the rounds where people are mobilising to respond to the supposed shutdown.
Police have urged the public not to respond to such calls.
“The public is urged not to respond to calls for violence and criminality, and are thus discouraged from participating in activities that seek to defy the rule of law and undermine the authority of the state.
“We are calling on community police forums and related sub-forums to work with the police as they usually do and to mobilise the community against any form of lawlessness. Law-abiding citizens should be at ease knowing that the NatJOINTS is not taking these threats lightly,” said Netshiunda.