ActionSA has strongly condemned the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for its planned national shutdown on March 20, citing threats allegedly made by the EFF that avoiding looting of businesses that do not voluntarily shut down could not be guaranteed.

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba stated a radical minority could not dictate South Africa’s economic activity, especially as the country already faced significant barriers to improving society.

The EFF announced that it would hold a national shutdown to protest continuing loadshedding and that it would call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

The party also urged businesses to shut down on the day of the protest to avoid being looted. 

ActionSA stated that the EFF’s stated threat to national key points, including OR Tambo International Airport and ports of trade, was not only irresponsible, but also criminal.

Mashaba cited economic losses as a result of the EFF’s protest action, as well as the possible retrenchment of workers that the EFF “supposedly represents”. 

Further, the police and emergency services would be prevented from providing critical services to under-resourced communities, Mashaba pointed out.

Amid the “myriad of ANC-induced crises”, Mashaba said the positive image of the country would be in jeopardy if the EFF continued to incite its members to destroy public infrastructure and facilities. 

He believes that the planned shutdown will impede hopes of attracting foreign investment to grow the economy and create jobs.

“We encourage our law enforcement agencies to put an end to any attempts by the EFF to conduct these unlawful protests, and for Saps and the SANDF to be on standby to prevent looting and damage to property. Should the protests continue and violence result from such issues, ActionSA will not hesitate to lay criminal complaints of inciting violence against the EFF’s leadership.” Mashaba indicated.