Shutdown Closes Stores Across South Africa as Protesters Demand President Resign Over Energy Crisis

South Africa’s second-largest opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), organized a national shutdown on Monday, March 20, in protest at the country’s energy crisis.

By Monday morning, 87 people had already been arrested across South Africa in connection with the shutdown, according to local media, citing Police Minister Bheki Cele.

“Most were found making fires, blocking roads and trying to prevent people from going to work. They were not peaceful,” Cele was widely quoted as saying.

Ahead of the shutdown, the EFF’s leader, Julius Malema, told supporters “no one can stop a revolution”, as he called on them to occupy streets and demand South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa resign over an ongoing energy crisis that has led to rolling blackouts.

In response to the shutdown, police called up reserves, and put additional protection around government buildings, according to local reports.

In a statement, Ramaphosa warned protesters that the demonstrations “do not give anyone the right to harass, intimidate or threaten anyone else”.

Footage by Clifford Chuene shows EFF supporters singing songs as they gathered outside a branch of Shoprite in the township of Mankweng, Limpopo. “University of Limpopo closed shops that were operating and shown the police a middle finger,” Chuene captioned the video. Credit: Clifford Chuene via Storyful