South Africa opposition leader Julius Malema has announced that the ongoing protests in the country will end at midnight.
While thanking South Africans for coming out in large numbers to join the ‘National Shutdown’ protests, Malema, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader said the protests have been a success contrary to claims that people did not turn out as anticipated.
“Thank you very much the people of South Africa and EFF ground forces for a peaceful yet vibrant EFF National Shutdown. It’s just the beginning; now, let’s go out and join the picket lines. They said it was a normal day, but you could see who the deceivers were. You proved to the doomsayers once more that we remain the only discipline force or the left. National Shutdown will end at midnight,” he wrote in tweet on Monday morning.
At least 87 people were arrested on Monday morning while participating in the protests. South Africa police said the arrests were made in different parts of the country.
“Of the 87 arrested, 41 were arrested in Gauteng, 29 in North West, 15 in Free State. There are also arrests in other provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. Updates will be provided as and when information becomes available,” police said.
Thousands of South Africans took to the streets in protests dubbed ‘National Shutdown’ as the country grapples with issues, among them; unemployment, power cuts and wanton graft.
Several videos shared on Twitter early Monday showed protesters streaming into the streets in their numbers amid claims that a good majority had hit the streets as early as 4am.
Protesters want the country’s Head of State Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, accusing him of failing to address the issues.
“On the 20th of March, we have to shut down this country to show the whole world that we are concerned about the state of affairs. We can’t fold our arms,” Malema said in a video message during the weekend.
The party also advised non-essential workers to remain home, or join the protests claiming that this will be the start of an unstoppable revolution.
