The EFF in the North West has come out and accused the police of violating their right to freedom of assembly and protest.
The North West red berets were taking part in the EFF’s National Shutdown as they gathered at the party’s regional offices in Mahikeng, before marching to Eskom’s offices in Mmabatho, where they picketed outside the premises.
North West’s EFF secretary Papiki Babuile, has alleged that police fired rubber bullets at some of their members, participating in a peaceful protest.
“The law enforcement are agent provocateurs. They have been provoking our members throughout, and we have tried to refrain from engaging in any form of confrontation with them. This is because ours is a peaceful protest. We have warned them that we are not going to be disruptive and we are not going to be anarchic.
“They must protect us and the rights of those who are protesting. And they have not done that throughout, since morning they have fired rubber bullets at our members. They have even shot the students. We are warning them because what they have actually done is to violate the rights of those who are protesting,” Babuile said.
However, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said police arrested more than 20 protestors on charges linked to public violence in relation to EFF’s national shutdown.
“During the overnight crime combating operations under the North West Provincial joint operational intelligence structure, we have arrested 29 suspects in various parts of the province. They were apprehended for various offenses including the contravention of Section 3 J 1A of the National Road Traffic Act Regulation. While others were arrested for damaging an essential infrastructure and obstructing the free flow of traffic.
“They were arrested in Zeerust, Wolmaranstad, Mogwase, and Madikwe. As part of the operations, we managed to seize 173 tyres, after they were found placed at strategic points, while some of the roads in the province were barricaded with rubble and other objects in the early hours of the morning.
“The police responded rapidly to remove the barricades, thus allowing traffic flow for members of the community to continue their normal day-to-day activities,” said Mokgwabone.
Some residents in Mahikeng formed teams, which were standing guard to protect businesses they believed would be targeted for looting. Community leader, Tebogo Tshwaila declared that they protected their town and said he wants to assure the residents that they are safe.
“ We woke up in the early hours of the morning, we will continue to protect local businesses. Although most shops were not operating out of fear of violence erupting,” he said.
Workers federation SAFTU’s secretary in the North West, Puseletso Molise said SAFTU took part in the shutdown because load shedding has dire consequences for the crumbling labor sector.
“The effect of load shedding leads to a massive retrenchment. As a result, it increases the rate of unemployment in the country. The unemployment rate in South Africa is currently standing at 37, 4%. Now, as a result of load shedding small and medium enterprises have since closed down,” Molise said.
The EFF is protesting against load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. The party has also called for North West Premier Bushy Maape to vacate office citing the lack of service delivery in the province as a reason for the call.
