FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 March 2023

ANC STATEMENT ON PLANNED SHUTDOWN

The ANC has noted with concern the planned shutdown by the EFF scheduled for 20 March 2023. We
believe that a shutdown of this nature is neither in the interest of the country nor does it advance our
hard-worn democracy. This is the clearest demonstration that the EFF has no interest in building a
cohesive nation that invests its collective will to the development and growth of our country.

South Africa emerges from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was closely followed by
unrest that had a ripple effect in the economy. The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan requires
of all South Africans to rally behind government’s efforts to bolster the economy, while fighting the
scourge of poverty and unemployment. It is in the interest of every sector of our economy, civil society
and all progressive forces to work towards building a country with thriving economic prospects and able
to effectively tackle its most pressing challenges.

We commend the taxi industry for its posture against previous attempts to shutdown the country. We
commend ordinary South Africans who take to the streets and resist criminal activity masquerading as
legitimate attempts to drive away foreign nationals. We commend people who will not let their voices
be silenced by anarchy and violence. We commend organs of civil society who have not hesitated in the
past to denounce similar attempts to cripple our country in their name.

The right to march and protest is an important right entrenched in our Constitution. Any political party is
allowed to march and make its voice heard. However, if such march advocates anarchy and lawlessness
and seeks to undermine the rule of law by infringing on the rights of others, then we must all condemn
such a protest.

There is absolutely nothing revolutionary about the EFF march, but rather a populist effort that seeks to
promote lawlessness and a feeble attempt to invoke the Arab Spring Revolution mindset.

The ANC joins South Africans from all walks of life who have condemned this shutdown in the strongest
possible terms. These attempts are insurrection and overthrow of a democratically elected President
from a party that has failed to garner more than 6% of the national vote must be exposed for what they
are. Our people should not be hoodwinked into supporting anarchy and violence under the pretext of
service delivery.
We are confident that peace loving South Africans who have a genuine interest in advancing our
development will not support this shutdown. We call on all organs of civil society, business and industry
at large to resist the strong-arm tactics of the EFF to force them to join this shutdown.

We call on law enforcement to respond swiftly to stem out anarchy and efforts to inculcate lawlessness
and protect life and limb and assets from any act of violence or intimidation.

We call on South African not to heed this call that seeks to reverse the gains of our democracy at the alter
of expediency to advance narrow political end.

END

ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

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