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The EFF led a national shutdown which started quietly in the morning and gained momentum in Tshwane where many businesses were forced to close shop for the day.
Party leader Julius Malema led thousands of protesters around the city as they walked from one street to another. EFF leaders had refused to disclose to the media what activities they planned for the day until they were seen pitching up at the event. EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu addressed a gathering in Sandton, Johannesburg, later.
Despite the march being dubbed a success, City Press has learnt that, in some areas, the attendance was low because of transportation problems, after several bus companies withdrew their buses from ferrying protesters to destinations. It’s understood that many bus companies around the country refused to release their buses to carry protesters to various destinations for fear of their safety.
READ: LIVE | EFF shutdown: Chaos erupts in Tembisa
In Tshwane, protesters gathered in Church Square in the city centre before heading to the Union Buildings.
Malema, who was joined by his colleagues in the EFF and other political leaders, including from the PAC, African Transformation Movement and African Radical Economic Transformation Alliance, led the throng to Mahlamba Ndlopfu, an official residence for the president and some ministers.
With police helicopters hovering over their heads, heavily armed security personnel, including from the SA Police Service, SA National Defence Force, Tshwane metro and private security companies, accompanied protesters. Members of trade union federation Saftu were also part of the protest.
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Malema had called members of his party to a nationwide strike to demand the end of the load shedding that has plagued the country for the past decade. Protesters were also calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. Hoisting different placards throughout their march, they accused Ramaphosa of failing the country with endless blackouts which have been worse in the past few months.
The EFF also accused Ramaphosa of failing to hold his oath of office after over $580 000 (R10.8 million) was stolen from his Phala Phala farm in the Waterberg region of Limpopo in February 2020. Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by the Public Protector's provisional report two weeks ago.
The red berets were also complaining about high crime, the unemployment rate and the declining standard of education.
In a statement released during the day, the EFF said it was pleased that the national shutdown had happened as planned, and the protest was successful and peaceful.
The party said buses and taxis were driving around the cities and townships empty because people had decided to join the EFF call for a shutdown.
“The success of the national shutdown proves that our people are sick and tired of load shedding, corruption, unemployment, crime, gender-based violence and lack of service delivery,” said the party.
While there were a few minor incidents reported in the capital city, Police Minister Bheki Cele stated earlier that they had arrested over 87 people around the country for violence relating to the protest.
Cele also indicated that police had repossessed over 24 000 tyres that had been dumped in strategic places where protesters were to pass by.
Speaking ahead of the protest, Cele assured the country that his troops were ready to protect those who were not taking part in the protest. One of the small business owners in Sunnyside, Abeba Girma, said he had closed shop when he saw the protesters getting closer.
He said he supported the strike because he had lost a lot because of load shedding.
While the EFF was busy with the protest, the newly appointed minister of electricity, Sputla Ramokgopa, was visiting various power stations in a bid to reduce the rolling blackouts. Ramokgopa was expected to visit Kusile and Komati power stations in Mpumalanga as part of his engagement with employees and power station managers to understand the problems.
