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Photo via News24/GCIS |
President Cyril Ramaphosa has commented on the planned EFF shutdown, stating that law enforcement officers have been instructed to guarantee no chaos or unrest on the day.
Ramaphosa cautioned the red berets that regime change could only occur by a vote; it cannot occur through chaos or unrest in the country.
He said,
"The right to protest is deeply embedded in our Constitution and is a right that we as South Africans fought for and won so that South Africans can protest against what may be concerning issues, but that right is not absolute. It is a limited right not underpinned by violence."
He addressed the Union Buildings during Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's state visit.
While the freedom to protest is guaranteed in the Constitution, it does not allow the EFF the privilege of assaulting the rights of the majority of the population, according to Ramaphosa.
His comments come after EFF leader Julius Malema said on Wednesday that his party would carry out its scheduled demonstration calmly.
Ramaphosa stated that if the EFF and its supporters get violent, law enforcement personnel will be present to maintain order.
"We met with our security cluster yesterday, and they will defend our people from any planned attempts to destabilize the country."
He stated that the closure was entirely motivated by the upcoming elections and had little to do with the EFF's desire to help underprivileged South Africans.
