Ramaphosa: EFF shutdown infringed on human rights
President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended South Africans who did not heed the national shutdown call by the EFF.
"I am happy that the majority of South Africans did not heed the call, but they exercised their rights as South Africans,” he said at the official Human Rights Day commemoration in De Aar.
“Even though other would want to diminish this democracy, even though others would want to abuse the rights of others, intimidate them, compel them to participate in protests in days where they should not go to work," Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa delivered the government's Human Rights Day message in the Northern Cape on Tuesday.
Human Rights Day honours the lives of 69 anti-apartheid protesters that were killed by police in what is now known as the Sharpeville massacre.
South Africa observes this day to promote respect for basic human rights and restore and uphold human dignity.
Ramaphosa says this is a significant year for the celebration of Human Rights Day as it marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the first bill of rights in the country's history.
"Today we look to the future. We reaffirm our pledge not only to safeguard and uphold these rights at all times, but to strive to ensure that all people may exercise these rights to their fullest."
