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Malema Says South Africa Shutdown a Success, President Disagrees

South Africans commemorated Human Rights Day on Tuesday March 21, 2023, with President Cyril Ramaphosa using his keynote to take a jab at the Economic Freedom Fighter's national shutdown on Monday, Scrolla Africa reports.

In his address to the nation from De Aar in the Northern Cape, Ramaphosa accused unnamed parties of trying to "diminish this democracy", and wanting to "abuse the rights of others, intimidate them, compel them to participate in a protest, compel them to participate in days when they should not go to work.

"I am happy that the majority of South Africans did not heed the call, but they exercised their rights as South Africans," he added.

EFF leader Julius Malema reportedly told party members that the shutdown was a success.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said that at least 550 people have been arrested for various crimes ranging from public violence to intimidation during the protest action on Monday.

A judgment by the Gauteng High Court had interdicted the EFF from "violating the rights of South Africans to work school, and trade, by any means of intimidation, violence, or coercion, on the party's planned national shutdown".

InFocus

Floyd Shivambu/Twitter

Economic Freedom Fighters take to the streets during the "nationa' shutdown" protest on March 20, 2023.

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