The Phoenix Ubuntu Forum has accused EFF leader Julius Malema of inciting violence, protests and looting by uttering “highly charged” comments aimed at Phoenix.
The forum’s convener Sham Maharaj on Thursday said Malema’s comments undermined the hard work of Phoenix Ubuntu Forum and other organisations to build race relations and run social cohesion programmes in the wake of the July 2021 unrest.
“We call on all our law enforcement agencies to ensure that the protest on March 20 goes off without any incidents and to deal harshly with anyone or any organisation that breaks the law,” he said.
In an interview on Wednesday, Malema said “We’re ready for Phoenix”, telling protesters not to back down from those opposing the shutdown.
He was speaking ahead of his party’s planned shutdown of the country next Monday, which will call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign and end the crippling electricity crisis.
Malema referenced the Phoenix massacre in July 2021, in which at least 36 people were killed in the unrest. More than 350 people died nationally, and many businesses were destroyed.
Maharaj called on communities to remain calm but vigilant and to liaise with their local community policing forums and law enforcement agencies for assistance.
“We also urge all our communities not to circulate unverified posts on social media as this will only add to fear and anxiety in the community. We are happy to learn that cabinet has met and put an action plan in place to deal with any looting, violence, and unruly behaviour.
“We are hoping that the planned 'national shutdown' will fizzle out by Monday and become localised EFF protests,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC said the threat of a national shutdown had the potential to encourage acts of violence and potential vandalism on property and businesses, which is unlawful.
Technically, it’s also a form of intimidation in the highest degree, displaying an intention to commit violence and intimidation is a criminal offence
— Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC
“Technically, it’s also a form of intimidation in the highest degree, displaying an intention to commit violence and intimidation is a criminal offence,” it said.
“The intimidation tactics that are being driven and displayed by the EFF via video, enforcing and threatening businesses to shut down, are unconstitutional and are infringing on human rights. This cannot be allowed nor must it be tolerated in a democratic country like ours.
“We firmly believe if left unchecked and not acted upon by the government with urgency, it will send out the wrong message and give criminals the ‘licence’ to loot, intimidate and destroy.”
The chamber said the national shutdown had the potential to not only derail but also further harm an economy that was in critical condition.
“Businesses are trying to survive, and some are trying to resume their operations after the 2021 July unrest and April/May 2022 floods, even with the current state of the economy due to the energy, water and sanitation crisis. We believe a crisis cannot be resolved by using the proposed approach of a shutdown. Ours is to preserve the economy and protect the sustainability of businesses,” it said.
“The July 2021 unrest saw many people, particularly in our townships, lose jobs and their lives. This is reason enough for us not to allow this shutdown to proceed. It is a threat to our townships' informal businesses, SMMEs and more importantly, it is a threat to human lives.
“Our infrastructure is destroyed. The energy, water and sanitation crisis is getting worse by the day. We are already hanging on by a thread.”
The chamber called on Ramaphosa to put a stop to the shutdown.
“We need to deploy the SA National Defence Force to provide support and protection for businesses. The SA Police Service and metro police must co-ordinate with private security companies to provide full coverage for the country’s geographical space, through visibility, timely responses and decisiveness. Enforcement agencies need to take a 'zero tolerance' approach.
“As organised business, we believe there are enough early warning signals and intelligence that cannot be ignored. Failure to take a proactive approach could prove detrimental to the country. We cannot afford to witness what we witnessed in July 2021.”
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