South African warns opposition against ‘attempts to overthrow

By Bintu Jidda
Kanempress
18th March 2023

South Africa says that the planned protests are not a mere shutdown but an attempt to overthrow its government.

Police authorities described the planned protests by opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Monday as an attempt to overthrow the government.

The opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is organising nationwide marches to protest against the power crisis and has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

“This is an attempt to overthrow the government. This is not a shutdown, but it’s anarchy,” KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said on Friday while briefing media on security plans to deal with threats posed by the protests.

“The magnitude of threats differs from other planned shutdowns and that is why we have to be extra vigilant,” Mr Mkhwanazi noted.

Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi said police authorities have no notices of any planned gatherings in the province, that over 18,000 security officers would be deployed during the march.

President Ramaphosa on Thursday warned that anarchy will not be tolerated during the protests and called on security forces to “defend our people”.

President Ramaphosa said the only way to get him out of office and power is through a vote.
The EFF leader, Julius Malema insists the protests are not illegal and has warned that anyone who attempts to stop them would “meet their maker.