SOUTH AFRICA | NATIONAL SHUTDOWN NEWS THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2023 - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Here are news snippets from around South Africa regarding the planned National Shutdown on Monday March 20, 2023 by the Economic Freedom Front (EFF)

Former president Thabo Mbeki says the EFF has a right to organise a protest on issues they feel are affecting the country. However he has made an appeal that any protest must be in line with the country's law.

Taxi council SANTACO in the Western Cape says it will not take part in Monday's planned shutdown by the EFF to protest against load-shedding and demand the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Close to forty organisations under the banner of Defend Our Democracy Campaign have expressed their opposition to the EFF's National Shutdown planned for Monday.

READ | SOUTH AFRICA | RAMAPHOSA: ON MONDAY MARCH 20, 'SECURITY FORCES ARE GOING TO DEFEND OUR PEOPLE'

Police Minister Bheki Cele has warned against spreading messages of fear and intimidation on social media platforms in the lead up to next week's national shutdown saying inciting violence is a criminal offence.

“We want to assure everyone in the country that Monday will be a normal business day. We want to reiterate to our international community that all ports of entry - land, sea and air - will be operational.” - Bheki Cele

The DA has described as absurd the allegations made by EFF leader Julius Malema that the DA plans to hire agent provocateurs to create chaos and disrupt next week's national shutdown.

EFF leader Julius Malema says all essential workers will be exempted from participating in the scheduled national shutdown by the EFF next Monday.