Civil society organisations have echoed the sentiments of many South Africans who are opposing the upcoming national shutdown organised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and are also calling on law enforcement to act against any form of intimidation and violence that may occur.

In a statement signed by 38 organisations including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Defend our Democracy, the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse the organisations note that while every person in South Africa has the Constitutional right of choice, association, movement, safety and freedom of expression, they also have the responsibility to similarly uphold the rights of others.

The EFF is planning a national shutdown in protest at the energy crisis and will call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.

The organisations add that the planned shutdown seeks to deepen the crisis for narrow party-political gains.

“We challenge the notion that a forcible shutdown is an accepted norm of protest. There is a clear distinction between the Constitutional right to protest or to canvass support for a stayaway, and the fear-mongering and forced shutdown of the country,” they say.

The organisations add that South Africa is already in crisis, owing to daily loadshedding, poor service delivery, poverty, unemployment, hunger, continued State capture and corruption, and malfeasance.

Meanwhile, the HSF says that while many South Africans are desperate for reform and resolution, “we cannot afford, economically or psychologically, even the suggestion of a repeat of the July 2021 unrest”.

“Those who look to traffic in fear and threat, in violence and coercion, would only magnify our misery and deepen our divisions. At this perilous time, we need leaders – in government, in our broader politics, in business and our civic spaces – who are able to calm and assure South Africans with certain resolve, skillful planning and for the South African public’s clear purpose,” it says.

Police Minister Bheki Cele gave the assurance that all citizens and their property would be protected on the day of the planned protest, while Defence Minister Thandi Modise announced that the South African National Defence Force will be on standby to assist the police to deal with any violence that may arise.