Santaco, businesses must operate but be aware of shutdown - Malema
After previously insisting there won't be any taxis, businesses and schools operating during the shutdown on Monday, EFF leader Julius Malema seems to have slightly changed his tune.
At a briefing on Wednesday, Malema said they had met the South African National Taxi Council about Monday's planned protest.
"What we'd want from Santaco, is we want nothing. It is an important stakeholder that must be made aware that the streets are going to be occupied.
"They use those streets every day and therefore, it is only courtesy that you go to them and say, 'We know you use this facility on a daily basis, but please be aware that this facility will be occupied by protests on the 20th of March'. We did the same thing with malls and businesses precisely because we want to avoid looting."
He denied that the party had asked for any businesses to close.
READ: EFF insists legal action won't stop national shutdown
"We are making them aware that there will be a protest on such a day for them to make preparations to take into consideration that there will be such a thing on that day.
"Anyone who says we have threatened violence is not telling the truth because we have not threatened violence. All we did was to be nice to all stakeholders because that is in the nature and character of the EFF. So having been made aware, you do what is in your best interest. It is your call, don't come back to the EFF and say it must take responsibility."
The EFF's protest is over load shedding. The party also wants Cyril Ramaphosa to resign as president.
Earlier, the SAPS said businesses and services will be fully functional on Monday.
It says it's put measures in place to ensure the safety of citizens.
