PHUTI MOSOMANE
SUPPORTERS of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African Transformation Movement (ATM) and other fraternal organizations have descended on the lawns of the Church Square in Pretoria ahead of the national shutdown.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo the party’s members have gathered in high spirits despite military presence around the city.
“Our members have started gathering from midnight. The presence of heavy police resembles a military state and the end of the ANC. We will not be intimidated by anyone. They can claim that it’s a normal day but the situation on the ground is different,” Thambo said.
EFF leader Julius Malema is expected to join protesters at Church Square.
Organisations which have joined the protests include the Pan Africanist Congress, SA Federation of Trade Unions, United Democratic Movement, ARETA, APC, Land Party, NUMSA, FAWU, Rational Youth Movement and DEMAWUSA.
Former ANC leader Carl Niehaus and members of his new movement ARETA have also joined the EFF protesters in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele said 87 people were arrested overnight.
“It is said this is a shutdown. I flew around several towns this morning and I saw nothing close to a shutdown. Shutdown is when life stops. The situation here in Soweto is normal despite a few hundred protesters. I checked the situation in Cape Town, and I also checked the situation in Durban and life is normal. Police have responded. We have arrested 87 people,” said Cele.
Thambo said those arrested have done nothing wrong except to exercise their democratic right to protest.
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