‘Monday will be normal working day’ – Cele
Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured South Africans that measures are in place to protect citizens, property, and businesses during the planned nationwide protest by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
On Thursday Cele, and other ministers from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), gave an update on plans to counter potential lawlessness and criminality on 20 March.
“We want to reiterate that Monday will be a normal working day for all South Africans, and no amount of threats will disrupt the norm. Monday is a working day, and we assure every citizen that they must and should go on with their business as usual without any fear from anyone,” said Cele.
The EFF has served letters to businesses across the country, including the OR Tambo International Airport, telling them to shut down operations next Monday.
Cele has affirmed statements by the Airports Company of South Africa that operations will run as usual.
“We want to assure everyone in the country that the 20th of March will be a normal business day. We want to reiterate to our international community that contrary to the pronouncements by those advocating for any disruption, all ports of entry - land, sea, and air - will be operational.”
On the back of a crippling strike by public healthcare workers affiliated with the National, Education Health Workers Union, the police minister said government services will run uninterrupted.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the decision by EFF leader Julius Malema to not reveal logistical details of the protest will not foil preparations by the security forces.
“The intelligence service is at work and we are confident that we have our information. Equally, we will not reveal how we are going to handle that.”
Ntshavheni has accused the EFF of wanting capitalise on prior plans by schools and many South Africans to take Monday off, ahead of the Human Rights Day public holiday, to create an impression of a stay-away.
‘THIS TIME WE WILL NOT LET IT GO’ - MODISE ON SOCIAL MEDIA INTIMIDATION
Defence Minister Thandi Modise issued a stern warning to those who were using social media to mobilise and incite lawlessness.
“We have allowed social media to plan, to intimidate, and we have not followed up. We want to assure you that this time we will not let it go. That is a weakness that we will accept, [and] are in the process of remedying.”
Modise said the South African National Defence Force would be on standby. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) is expected to give a more detailed update.
