The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for a shutdown in the Western Cape, with a planned protest on Monday, October 2nd. The protest is aimed at calling attention to the DA-led government, which the EFF claims has neglected the poorest citizens and the working class. While the South African National Taxi Alliance has chosen not to participate, authorities are prepared for any potential violence or disturbances and have contingency plans in place to ensure the public’s safety and the smooth operation of businesses within the area.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African political party, has initiated a “shutdown” in the Western Cape on Monday, October 2nd. Although one of the protest’s goals is the release of seized taxis, the South African National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has decided against participating in the planned event. In addition, the EFF has organized a separate demonstration at the Ndabeni Municipal Complex in Cape Town, where various leftist political parties and civic organizations will unite against the region’s governing Democratic Alliance (DA).
The EFF claims that the DA-led government has shown disdain toward the poorest citizens and working class for far too long. In response, the party has adopted the slogan, “Enough is enough!” to gather support for the shutdown.
While the NTA recognizes the EFF’s protest, the association’s deputy chairperson, Nceba Enge, has confirmed that they will not be participating in the Monday shutdown. Concurrently, Reagen Allen, the MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, convened a meeting with district executive mayors, senior officials from provincial departments, district municipalities, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to evaluate the province’s readiness for the EFF’s planned protest.
Authorities Prepared for Protest
Allen announced that his teams are prepared and any attempts to provoke chaos will be met with the full force of the law. He added, “We will be working closely with SAPS and law enforcement and holding them to account to ensure that businesses can open and that those needing to get to work can do so.”
The police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, stated that they were notified about a planned march rather than a provincial shutdown and confirmed that no taxis would be involved in the protest. Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith mentioned that the EFF had applied for a peaceful protest permit under certain conditions. These conditions include not intimidating city staff, not entering the Ndabeni pound, and not involving taxis in the procession.
JP Smith revealed that various political parties and civic organizations would participate in the march, such as the South African National Civics Association, with a limit of 1,000 participants. He also noted that the city has a contingency plan in place, prepared for any situation where the protest turns violent or causes traffic disruptions. This plan involves strategies for managing public disorder and violence, and using technologies like drones and CCTV to enable a more effective response.
Calls for Peaceful Protest
“The City will not hesitate to pursue criminal and civil legal action against organizers or political parties responsible for gatherings or protests resulting in violence or damage to public or private property,” warned Smith. Minister Allen encouraged protestors to demonstrate compassion for their fellow citizens and behave in a peaceful and orderly manner during the march.
In summary, the EFF’s call for a shutdown in the Western Cape has generated interest and concern; however, the South African National Taxi Alliance has chosen not to participate in the protest. Instead, the EFF has planned a separate march at the Ndabeni Municipal Complex in Cape Town, where numerous political parties and civic organizations will join together to voice their dissatisfaction with the DA-led government. Authorities remain prepared to handle any potential disturbances or violence, with contingency plans in place to ensure the public’s safety and the smooth operation of businesses within the area.
1. What is the EFF?
The EFF is a South African political party that has called for a shutdown in the Western Cape.
2. When is the shutdown planned?
The shutdown is planned for Monday, October 2nd.
3. What is the protest aimed at?
The protest is aimed at calling attention to the DA-led government, which the EFF claims has neglected the poorest citizens and the working class.
4. Why has the South African National Taxi Alliance chosen not to participate in the protest?
Although one of the protest’s goals is the release of seized taxis, the South African National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has decided against participating in the planned event.
5. How are authorities prepared for any potential violence or disturbances during the protest?
Authorities have contingency plans in place to ensure the public’s safety and the smooth operation of businesses within the area.
6. What conditions did the EFF have to meet in order to receive a peaceful protest permit?
The EFF had to agree to not intimidate city staff, not enter the Ndabeni pound, and not involve taxis in the procession.
7. How many participants are expected to be in the protest?
There is a limit of 1,000 participants in the protest.
8. What will happen if the protest turns violent or causes damage to public or private property?
The City will not hesitate to pursue criminal and civil legal action against organizers or political parties responsible for gatherings or protests resulting in violence or damage to public or private property.
