WRAP | 'Be ready South Africa, Ramaphosa will fall' - Malema as he thanks EFF protesters

JSE-listed companies must provide scholarships to workers, Floyd Shivambu tells supporters

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu told supporters President Cyril Ramaphosa is a "white project" that must answer for the Phala Phala saga. 

On Monday, Shivambu led the group that began their protest march from Alexandra to Sandton and ending at Megawatt Park. 

Malema: "This is the beginning, much more is still coming. Be ready, South Africa. Ramaphosa will fall."

- Bongekile Macupe 

Malema says "the illiterate SG of the ANC says this was a flop".

The EFF leader says Fikile Mbalula must listen to the news at 19:00 to hear economists give an analysis of how much business has lost.

Malema says because "he has a mind of a rat" he will not understand anything.

- Bongekile Macupe

"Tell everybody who is not here but stayed home that the EFF is very thankful of them," Malema says.

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema: "All over South Africa the fighters have come under one umbrella, and they say 'enough is enough'. Only we can do that, the ANC can never do what we have done today."

- Bongekile Macupe

"Comrades, when we go back home, let us go back with that discipline. Do not give the enemy anything bad to say about us," Malema tells protesters. 

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema hints EFF shutdown low turn-out due to canceled buses, ANC thanks SA for not joining marches

The ANC has thanked South Africans for not joining the EFF’s national shutdown, while the red berets' leader Julius Malema blamed a bus company cancelling its service for the poor turnout.

On Monday, the ANC, in a statement, expressed its gratitude towards all South Africans "who did not join the extremist and regressive so-called shutdown".

Malema: "When you see a tyre burning you must know there is a anger in our country.

"We will not stop burning tyres, we are not burning any property, we are burning our own tyres and we will dance around them."

- Bongekile Macupe

"Every time we want to protest we will not ask for permission," says Malema.

- Bongekile Macupe

Julius Malema addressing crowds in Pretoria: "We are here to say to Ramaphosa he must leave, he is no longer our president, he must go to Phala Phala."

- Bongekile Macupe

City of Ekurhuleni adopted a 'no-tolerance policy', says mayor

The mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell, says law enforcement agencies have been on high alert to ensure the safety of residents and businesses amid the EFF's national shutdown.

She said 13 people had been arrested in Ekurhuleni by Monday morning, but a final headcount would be available throughout the course of the day.

There are roughly 3 000 to 5 000 EFF protesters outside Bryntirion Estate in Tshwane.

The entrance is being guarded by police.

- Alex Mitchley

EFF shutdown: 33 arrested at Woolies in Sandton

More than 30 protesters linked to the national EFF shutdown were arrested on Monday after they tried to disrupt the operations of a Woolworths in Sandton.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a total of 33 protesters had been arrested for "contravention of a court order, public violence and intimidation".

Eastern Cape police said that apart from a few isolated incidents, there was an "atmosphere of stability" during Monday's nationwide EFF protests against load shedding and Cyril Ramaphosa.

"So far, I can confidently say we are in control of the situation, we have managed to drive away those who wanted to take advantage in the morning. There is calm as we speak and we continue to keep a close eye on the situation,” provincial police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said.

He said there were pockets where tyres and rubble were burnt on roads, but it was stopped.

"Isolated incidents such as in Mdantsane in the early morning, were perpetrated by a few individuals who could not even be identified with known organisations.

"When the police arrived in those areas, the opportunistic criminal elements disappeared, and they never resurfaced."

– Jenni Evans

There is heavy police presence as well as members of the South African National Defence Force around the compound that houses Mahlamba Ndlopfu - Ramaphosa's official residence.

EFF supporters were meant to march to the Union Buildings but the group - a few thousand in number - marched past and took a detour to Ramaphosa's official home.

The compound also includes the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, where Ramaphosa performs some of his official duties.

- Juniour Khumalo

EFF leader Julius Malema led protesters to the compound that houses President Cyril Ramaphosa's official residence Mahlamba Ndlopfu.

Addressing them, Malema says they do not seek to deliver a memorandum but still want to send a clear message that Ramaphosa must go.

“He has betrayed his oath of office [regarding the Phala Phala scandal], and he must vacate his office,” says Malema.

- Juniour Khumalo

Winde praises law enforcement for preventing "anarchy" in the Western Cape

Western Cape premier Alan Winde commended all law enforcement agencies, disaster management staff and emergency responders for ensuring that the nationwide protests "did not descend into anarchy in the Western Cape".

Despite attempts to block major roads in some parts of the Western Cape and sporadic incidents of stone-throwing, all districts reported these were minor and dealt with accordingly, reads a statement.

"We were well prepared ahead of today and this was evident in how law enforcement agencies, from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to municipal law enforcement, as well as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) closely coordinated their operations with other emergency services and community-based structures.

"We all worked together, sharing resources, to ensure our province and citizens were safe," said Winde.

Winde praised Western Cape provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile and his team, as well as all other law enforcement bodies, for working hand-in-hand with the provincial government and municipalities.

"Through our solid partnership with the SAPS we upheld the rule of law. I would also like to thank WCG staff who reported for duty today to serve our citizens," he said.

– Jan Gerber

Malema calls protest 'the most successful shutdown ever in the history of struggle in SA'

EFF leader Julius Malema has claimed success in his party's bid to shutdown the country to protest against President Cyril Ramaphosa's incumbency and the energy crises in the country.

Speaking to party die-hards in Pretoria on Monday afternoon, Malema described his party’s shutdown as "the most successful shutdown ever in the history of struggle in South Africa", despite "intimidation" by law enforcement. 

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu speaking to the SABC says: "We cannot go to Sandton City, JSE and not go to Eskom.

"So our final destination today is the Eskom offices to say to whoever has powers, they must stop this thing of switching electricity on and off.

"They must just switch it on permanently, this thing of switching electricity on and off must come to an end."

- Bongekile Macupe

Crowds grow as Malema leads protest past Union Buildings

The crowds attending the EFF’s national shutdown have swelled up as they make their way toward the Union Buildings.

Having left Church Square, which served as the gathering point, with about 500 people, the crowd has now grown to thousands of people.

The crowd made its way around the Sunnyside area and Pretoria CBD before heading to the Union Buildings

- Juniour Khumalo

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has told the crowds he is leading that they will be heading to either Hyde Park, where Ramaphosa stays, Eskom or stores in the next 30 minutes

- Malaika Ditabo

Business as usual in Tembisa amid a high police presence

The usually busy N1 highway showed a massive decrease in traffic, with only a few cars on the road on Monday morning.

In Tembisa, people made their way to local supermarkets and food outlets. 

EFF supporters led by party deputy president Floyd Shivambu are now headed to the JSE

- Malaika Ditabo 

EFF protesters in Tshwane are marching towards the Union Buildings.

- Alex Mitchley 

EFF shutdown: Frustrated Eastern Cape students join protest action

Frustrated and heavily indebted university students across the country have joined the EFF's national shutdown to voice their displeasure with the government.

The South African Union of Students (SAUS), which previously revealed that students owe learning institutions R16.5 billion nationally, said on Monday that students were excited to join the demonstration. 

'They are afraid': Lenasia businesses close doors during EFF shutdown over looting fears

Fear of looting in Lenasia forced many businesses to remain closed on Monday. 

A few chanting EFF supporters peacefully marched from Lenasia to the nearby Golden Highway near Lehae.

They didn't disrupt traffic. 

'Our people have heeded the call': EFF celebrates shutdown 'success' despite visibly low turnout

By 12:00 on Monday, the EFF's shutdown had not developed into the mass action the party had punted, even though it pre-emptively described the shutdown as a success.

The protest action was characterised by small skirmishes, and in parts of the country, it was reported that demonstrators had used rocks and burning tyres to block roads.

Western Cape EFF chairperson encourages members to break the law

EFF Western Cape chairperson Unathi Ntame addressed about 400 EFF supporters ahead of their march to Parliament.

They were waiting on EFF national chairperson Veronica Mente.

"So, comrades, if the national chairperson arrives here and says we must shut down the Waterfront, that's what we do exactly. If the national chairperson of the EFF arrives here and says we must shut down Golden Acres, that's exactly what we are going to do."

He also said if Mente told them to close the N2, that's exactly what they’ll do.

"There is no police that is going to tell us how we must protest!" he said.

He further claimed the police "abused" EFF members earlier.

"They must try us now, all of us here!"

The EFF has been interdicted from preventing businesses from operating or blocking roads.

– Jan Gerber 

The EFF protesters in Tshwane are now marching through Sunnyside.

- Alex Mitchley 

EFF members dressed in red sang as party deputy president Floyd Shivambu addressed the crowd after chanting “Ramaphosa leave, leave!"

He thanked the crowd for coming to the “capital of money”, Sandton.

“Nothing moves because we have spoken,” said Shivambu.

He spoke of the increase in unemployment, poverty, education disparity and increased load shedding.

The crowd cheered as he said the EFF will take the ANC out of power.

He called Ramaphosa a “white project”, and said if he wanted the EFF’s respect, he had to start by respecting the laws of the country and answer for Phala Phala.

- Malaika Ditabo

Shivambu: "It is a shutdown today because the EFF says it's a shutdown."

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu: We are raising legitimate demands. There are Mickey Mouses out there, even on social media, that are saying the shutdown has failed. They are daydreaming.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu claims that after the national election in May, the EFF will be gathering to celebrate party leader Julius Malema who will be the new president.

- Bongekile Macupe

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu addressing crowds in Sandton. He says it is not a mistake that the EFF is calling for Ramaphosa to resign.

"Ramaphosa must be removed from office so that we can have a proper government "

- Bongekile Macupe

The ANC, in a statement, expressed its gratitude towards all South Africans "who did not join the extremist and regressive so-called shutdown".

"In South Africa, there is no place or tolerance for vigilantism and forceful removal of an incumbent government. The ANC is fully committed to doing what the people of South Africa expect, demand, and deserve," reads the statement.

"The ANC acknowledges that everyone has the right to protest, and in line with the rule of law, all protest actions must be lawful. According to the Bill of Rights enshrined in our Constitution, no person or grouping may engage in an illegal protest action or impose their protest action on everyone who does not support it."

- Jan Gerber