The opposition protests planned for Monday, according to South African police, are an active attempt to overthrow the government rather than just a shutdown.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), an opposition party, have organized statewide marches to protest the nation’s electricity shortage and have demanded that President Cyril Ramaphosa step down.
“The aim of this is to topple the government. Anarchy, not a shutdown, is in effect right now “According to the BBC, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made the statement on Friday when updating the media on security measures to counter the risks posed by the protesters.
Local media cited Mr. Mkhwanazi as adding, “The amount of threats differs from past planned shutdowns and that is why we have to be more careful.
The police reportedly stated that they had not been notified of any planned rallies in the province and that more than 18,000 security personnel would be on duty throughout the march.
On Thursday, President Ramaphosa urged security personnel to “protect our people” and warned that chaos will not be permitted during the protests.
According to Mr. Ramaphosa, a vote is the only way to remove him from office and from power.
The head of the EFF, Julius Malema, maintains that the protests are lawful and has threatened that anyone who tries to put an end to them will “meet their maker.”
