Durban business leaders have urged the government to deploy the army to protect businesses during the Economic Freedom Fighters’ proposed national shutdown, warning that the action could devastate the country’s fragile economic recovery.
Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Prasheen Maharaj, said the proposed National Shutdown on 20 March had the potential to derail and further harm an economy that was already “hanging on by a thread”. The EFF has called for a national shutdown to protest against loadshedding and to call for Ramaphosa to resign.
“Businesses are trying to survive, and some are trying to resume their business operations following the 2021 July unrest and April/May 2022 floods, even with the current state of the economy due to the energy, water, and sanitation crisis,” Maharaj said.
“We believe a crisis cannot be resolved by using the proposed approach of a shutdown. Ours is to preserve the economy and protect the sustainability of businesses.”
Maharaj warned that the threat of a national shutdown had the potential to encourage violence and vandalism of property and businesses.
“Technically, it’s also a form of intimidation in the highest degree, displaying an intention to commit violence and intimidation is a criminal offence. The intimidation tactics that are being driven and displayed by the Economic Freedom Fighters via video, enforcing and threatening businesses to shut down, are unconstitutional and are infringing on human rights. This cannot be allowed, nor must it be tolerated in a democratic country like ours,” Maharaj said.
“We firmly believe, if left unchecked and not acted upon by the government with urgency, it will send out the wrong message and give criminals the ‘licence’ to loot, intimidate and destroy.”
He said the unrest in July 2021 had led to loss of life and job losses, particularly in the townships.
“It is a threat to our township informal businesses, SMMEs and, more importantly, it is a threat to human lives. Our infrastructure is destroyed, the energy, water and sanitation crises are getting worse by the day. We are already hanging on by a thread. We urgently call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to put a stop to this proposed National shutdown,” Maharaj said.
He called for the government to deploy the South African National Defence Force to provide support and protection for businesses.
“The South African Police Service and Metro Police must co-ordinate with private security companies to provide full coverage for the country’s geographical space, through visibility, timely responses, and decisiveness. Enforcement agencies need to take a zero-tolerance approach.”
He urged the government to provide clear action and a communication plan so businesses can prepare accordingly.
“As organised business, we believe there are enough early-warning signals and intelligence that cannot be ignored. Failure to take a proactive approach can prove detrimental to the country. We cannot afford to witness what we witnessed in July 2021. We will not survive that outbreak if we do not put a stop to this,” Maharaj warned.
