As the EFF national shutdown edges closer, on Wednesday, commander-in-chief Julius Malema confirmed his intentions to meet with the taxi industry for ‘cooperative’ talks.
EFF national shutdown: Will taxis be involved?
Malema invited the media to his party’s headquarters for a Q&A session, where he addressed several reports about the national shutdown, which coincidentally takes place on the eve of the 63rd anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, on Monday, 20 March 2023.
To this end, the EFF has garnered support from small parties such as the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and civil groups.
However, interesting developments took shape after Malema announced his meeting with the South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) later on Wednesday.
The taxi group had initially vowed to not participate in the EFF’s national shutdown, but according to Malema, the meeting is an attempt at forging cooperation with the public transport industry to ensure no lines are blurred when drivers come face-to-face with protesters.
“Our meeting with SANTACO it’s [a courteous] meeting to say there will be protesters on the roads and the taxis and all of that should take that into consideration as they prepare for that day to operate. There shouldn’t be unnecessary conflict and confrontation between ourselves and the taxis,” he said.
At this time, SANTACO has remained mum on its links to the EFF national shutdown. In a tweet posted after Malema’s media briefing, the taxi group confirmed it will announce its decision on whether it’s joining the strike at a later stage.
Malema claims DA will plant ‘agent provocateurs’ in nationwide strike
One of the other key concerns he tackled was reports of EFF ground forces warning businesses to remain closed “to avoid the looting.”
Despite the existence of video footage that supports this, Malema vehemently dismissed the reports, claiming his foot soldiers were merely tasked with preparing the public for the mass protest action.
In fact, the Red Berets’ commander-in-chief categorically claimed he was aware of the DA’s alleged plot to hire ‘agent provocateurs’ “who are going to be planted amongst the protesters of the EFF so that they can undermine the peaceful protest.”
“The DA has taken a decision to defend Ramaphosa, and is masquerading as protecting business and the economy of South Africa, which is not true,” he said.
Malema’s wild claims come a day after DA leader John Steenhuisen led a media briefing where he announced plans to interdict the EFF against threats of violence and looting.
“The DA will not sit back and allow the EFF to threaten businesses, livelihoods and lives. This is both an illegal and nonsensical, demand. Shutting down the economy for a day will only hurt local businesses and communities. We reject the EFF’s call for a ‘nationwide shutdown’,” he said.