Ramaphosa Vows Readiness To Crack Down On Potential Violence During EFF Shutdown

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that his administration will "not allow anarchy and disorder" and vowed to "defend our people from any planned attempts to destabilise the country," as the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party reiterated its calls for a national shutdown this coming Monday.

• Speaking on the fringes of his meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassa, Ramaphosa noted that he held a meeting with national security agencies on Wednesday and they decided to prevent any destabilisation of the country.
• Separately, Defence Minister Thandi Modise told the media that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is on standby and ready to react to any possible violence linked to the upcoming demonstrations.
• The EFF called for a "national shutdown" to protest against load-shedding and demand President Ramaphosa's resignation, with party leader Julius Malema threatening that anyone who interferes with the protests would "meet their maker."
• The planned shutdown coincides with a holiday period in South Africa, which celebrates a public holiday on Tuesday. Many people take Monday off, while travel activity is expected to increase over the long weekend.