Premier Dukwana to meet stakeholders over EFF’s planned mass action

As calls for the national shutdown continues unabated, pressure is mounting for government to tackle the implications and ramifications of the reported plans to shutdown the economy.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has organised a national shutdown set to take place on Monday, March 20, which has sparked concerns of violence, as they call for the end of power cuts blackouts [Load shedding] and President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

However, the EFF has has since allayed fears about the possibility of violence.

Sello Dithebe, spokesperson to the office of the Free State Premier says Premier Dukwana will today meet different stakeholders in the Province to ensure that, the normal life of the citizens of the Free State goes on as usual, on Monday.

“The Premier will have a hybrid meeting with local mayors, municipal managers and district mayors across the province, and he will further engage with business forums, taxi councils and various MECs to ensure that residents are protected during the unrest,” said Dithebe.

This comes at the peak where the opposition party in the Province, Democratic Alliance has called on the provincial government to ask the SA Police Service (SAPS) to protect the rights of Free State residents during the EFF’s national shutdown.

“The DA in the Free State notes with concern the threats of violence and intimidation made against individuals and businesses by the EFF relating to their calls for a national shutdown on 20 March 2023.

“The DA has written to the Premier, Mr Mxolisi Dukwana, and the SAPS provincial commissioner, lieutenant general Gen Baile Motswenyane, requesting them to ensure that the rights of Free State residents to work and move freely without harassment or fear of violence are protected,” says Roy Jankielsohn, DA provincial leader.

Jankielsohn said the DA will monitor the situation and calls on residents not to allow their constitutional rights to be infringed upon.

“Should incidents of intimidation and violence occur, they must be reported to the SAPS and we encourage businesses and residents to be vigilant,” he added.