POLL | Do you back the DA’s national shutdown interdict application?

The DA’s application for an urgent court interdict against “intimidation” ahead of a national shutdown next week has sparked debate across the country.

The EFF is planning the “mother of all shutdowns” on March 20, demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load-shedding, among other things.

The DA called for police to ensure the safety of South Africans during the shutdown after the EFF warned businesses to close to avoid possible looting.

While Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela this week said police are “prepared” and will “be on the ground” during the protest, the DA said it was taking legal action to ensure the protests were peaceful and the EFF retracts “intimidation letters” it allegedly sent, including to OR Tambo International Airport warning the authority not to allow flights or business activity on the day.

“Our lawyers have drafted a template affidavit that can be used by any business owner who has been intimidated by any EFF representatives to report such behaviour and press a formal charge of intimidation against the leadership of the EFF and its local representatives who act on behalf of the EFF’s national leadership, and to request that the police service prevents, combats and investigates any violation of the legislation that regulates demonstrations, gatherings and events in South Africa,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.

While some have welcomed the DA’s decision to take the matter to court, others said the party was trying to ride the wave of publicity surrounding the protests.