The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has advised the Ghanaian community living in that country to be cautious of their movement as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) plan a nationwide protest.
According to the Ghana Mission, though the organizers of the national shutdown have assured peaceful protest, previous peace walks, and demonstrations had turned violent.
“The mission would thus like to advise members of the community to be vigilant to any such incidents, restrict their movements to safe areas, avoid mass gathering and contact the police for assistance when required,” a press statement released by the mission noted.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is planning a national shutdown on 20 March, demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load shedding.
Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, the third-largest party in Parliament, said South Africans are tired of rolling power cuts being implemented daily, corruption, and unemployment among other issues.
In the run-up to the shutdown, the party has been warning communities to shut businesses or risk looting.
“On the 20th of March, we have to shut down this country to show the whole world that we are concerned about the state of affairs. We can’t fold our arms,” Malema said in a video message on the weekend.
He said the shutdown could be the beginning of an unstoppable revolution. The party has requested non-essential workers to remain home or join the protest.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned EFF that lawlessness and criminality will not be tolerated.
The police said it is the responsibility of the EFF to ensure that its planned national shutdown does not turn violent whiles the protests remain peaceful.