‘Remain vigilant,’ Malema warns amid national shutdown rumours
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called on South Africans to be safe, but at the same time be ready to defend the masses. Malema’s message is in the wake of speculation of a planned national shutdown for Monday, 23 August 2021.
“Fellow South Africans, please be safe. Fighters maintain high moral and discipline but remain vigilant to defend the dejected and defenceless masses of our people. God bless South Africa,” he said in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.
According to police, there have been messages circulating, in which people are being mobilised to take part in the supposed shutdown. It’s unclear where or how it started, but so far nobody has legitimised it, with the likes of the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) distancing itself from it.
National shutdown: Law enforcement on high alert
Law enforcement agencies have since been on high alert to respond to the situation, should the need arise. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) has said all measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.
“Law abiding citizens should be at ease knowing that we are not taking these threats lightly. Security forces are on high alert and ready to maintain stability in the country, and ensure the safety and security of South Africans,” NatJoints said in a statement.
NatJoints has further discouraged people to not take part in the national shutdown and warned that the country remains under Adjusted Level 3 of the lockdown, which means gatherings of this nature would be unlawful.
“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,”
There are fears of the national shutdown being a repeat of what occurred back in July: Thousands of rioters both in KZN and Gauteng look part in looting sprees, during which shops, malls and other establishments were targeted. More than 330 people died in the unrest and the economic consequences continue to be felt, with thousands of jobs lost.
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