EFF vows to shutdown Pick n Pay stores if demands not met over ‘exploitation of black franchisees’

The Economic Freedom Fights (EFF) promises a total shutdown to all Pick n Pay stores across the country if their demands are not met on time, citing exploitations challenges facing Pick n Pay franchisees in townships.

Red beret leader Julius Malema told reporters at the party’s organised media briefing on Tuesday that the party will not retreat nor surrender on its move.

He said many issues confronting the retail and franchise sector have been referred to the EFF’s labour desk.

Malema said the party has written two letters to Pick n Pay demanding the executives at the South African largest retail store to respond on key underlying issues facing retail and franchise sector, where majority of the franchise stores are facing massive debts.

“Pick n Pay has used these black people to establish their presence in black communities, and now have turned against them, and left them with huge debts,” said Malema.

The party leader says despite two letters sent to Pick n Pay, none of their letters were responded, and vows to take the battle to the streets, if their final letter will be ignored.

“They have ignored our past two letters, and we will go into militant action if they ignore our third and final letter,” Malema said.

The Pick n Pay Group, a JSE listed company under PIK, is a retail business in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, and has franchisees in black townships and rural areas.