Police, soldiers deployed for South Africa’s opposition-led protests
Police and soldiers deployed across South Africa on Monday as the country braced for protests after a left-wing party called for a “national shutdown”, sparking fears of a repeat of unrest that turned deadly two years ago.
There was a heavy security presence at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, where demonstrators were expected to protest later.
The country’s third-largest party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has urged South Africans to take to the streets and bring the country to a halt.
Authorities said they were on high alert to prevent and fight any acts of criminality and maintain public order. Parliament announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the deployment of 3,474 soldiers to assist police.
“We hope that those that will be marching, as long as they will be doing so peacefully, we have no reason to interfere with them,” police minister Bheki Cele told reporters in Johannesburg on Monday.
“Police will have to be tough without really being brutal,” he said, adding that private security companies were also helping police.
At least 87 protestors were arrested for violence-related offences overnight.
Pretoria and Johannesburg streets were quiet on Monday morning, with few cars driving through the normally busy streets.
Most shops were closed with their shutters down, and one Pretoria auto dealership had removed all vehicles from its shop windows.
The protest call rekindled memories of the deadly riots of July 2021, the worst violence since the end of apartheid in South Africa, when at least 350 people were killed in protests sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma spiralled into riots and looting.
Ramaphosa has ordered law enforcement agencies to ensure there no repeat of the 2021 unrest.
In his weekly Monday newsletter, he said any person or organisation was free to call protests, “but no-one should be forced, threatened or intimidated into joining that protest”.
The EFF is demanding Ramaphosa’s resignation over his handling of South Africa’s economic weakness, chronic electricity shortages and high unemployment.
‘We are tired’
The party has told protesters their actions “must be militant and radical” but to behave “peacefully” and watch out for “agent provocateurs” attempting to hijack the strike.
“No one can stop a revolution,” EFF leader Julius Malema told supporters on Friday.
EFF spokesman Sinawo Tambo told AFP that concerns over looting and violence were “baseless” and accused the authorities of using excessive force by deploying the army in a bid to intimidate supporters.
In Pretoria, EFF member Gift Boquopane, 42, joined the protest with his wife and children.
“They don’t do anything for us,” Boquopane said of the government.
“We are tired of load shedding,” he added, a reference to the electricity blackouts, echoing the “Down with Loadshedding” on the sign he was carrying.
A 27-year-old fitness enthusiast, who declined to give her name, said she supported the protest because the power outages had seriously disrupted businesses.
“I’m in support of it, but I’m not in support of things that happen during protests. All the stealing, all the tarnishing of properties,” she said as she skipped rope with a friend on the lawns south of Ramaphosa’s office.
South Africa’s economic growth tumbled below pre-pandemic levels in the last three months of 2022.
The country has been battered by high unemployment, soaring inflation and the waves of blackouts caused by breakdowns and capacity shortfalls at state energy provider Eskom.
Ramaphosa last week suggested that Malema was trying to gain political prominence ahead of national elections next year.
On Saturday, a Johannesburg court ordered the EFF not to shut down schools, stores, businesses, trade and public roads with the protest, and not to incite violence, after South Africa’s leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), asked it to prohibit the protest.
“The EFF has every right to protest, but the party has no right to hold South Africa hostage in doing so,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.