The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Vhembe have vowed that this district will also come to a standstill during the EFF's planned national shutdown next Monday (20 March). Thousands of red berets are expected to disrupt services in the province when EFF members embark on protest action.
The chairperson of the EFF in the Vhembe District, Advocate TP Matodzi, said they had already concluded all the preparations for the shutdown throughout the country, including in Vhembe. "It is all systems to go for the strike on Monday. The feedback we are receiving from members of the community is unbelievable. Workers from local companies and the government have been coming to our offices to collect letters to show their employers that the red berets will be in town on Monday, so there is no way that they can make it to work," he said.
The EFF is demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa steps down. In the first place, they are accusing him of dragging the country down as he has dismally failed to solve the economic crisis facing the country. They also demand his resignation because of the Phala Phala scandal. The EFF further demands that the government solve the load-shedding issue as many companies are forced to close their doors because of it, leaving thousands of workers without jobs.
During the shutdown, the EFF will be joined by the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), which is the second-largest main trade union confederation in the country out of 21 affiliated trade unions, representing around 800 000 workers countrywide.
The chairperson of the Pan African Congress (PAC) in the Vhembe District, Mr Edzisani Madzunya, confirmed that they will also be joining the EFF in the upcoming local shutdown. He said that, as a party, they were also calling for President Ramaphosa's resignation. "Ramaphosa and the ANC have failed dismally to lead this country. We are tired of the never-ending load shedding. He has elected a bloated cabinet comprised of the state fund looters, and he is also embroiled in the Phala Phala saga. Let him go," he said.
The EFF said they had already discussed the shutdown with the various transport services around the district and had their support as well.