According to South African police, the planned opposition protests on Monday are not merely a shutdown but an attempt to overthrow the government.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) opposition party is organizing nationwide marches to protest the country’s power crisis and has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
“This is an attempt to destabilize the government. This is not a shutdown; rather, it is anarchy “Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Commissioner of Police in KwaZulu-Natal, said on Friday while briefing the media on security plans to deal with the protests.
“The magnitude of threats differs from other planned shutdowns, which is why we must be extra vigilant,” Mr Mkhwanazi was quoted as saying by local media.
According to eNCA TV, he stated that police have received no notices of any planned gatherings in the province, and that over 18,000 security officers will 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”.
Mr. Ramaphosa stated that the only way to remove him from office and power is through a vote.
The EFF’s leader, Julius Malema, has insisted that the protests are not illegal and has warned that anyone who tries to stop them will “meet their maker,” according to News24.
