EFF National Shutdown

13 March 2023
Context and Notable Events
Overview
•The EFF declared on 29 January 2023 that they will orchestrate a national shutdown to protest against

•Energy crisis / Eskom

•Call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down
•Eradicate poor service delivery and corruption
•To end unemployment

•NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) confirms that the protest will be protected.

•Permission granted for the protected strike to start at midnight (00:01) on 20 March 2023 and end at 07:00 on 21 March 2023.

Disruption Targets
•Malema reported that the following would be blockaded
•All schools, universities, factories and businesses would not operate on that day
•All municipalities, major cities and roads will be barricaded
•All ports of entry
•All roads that lead to the borders
•All trucks and trains – particularly that transport minerals and coal outside South Africa through Richards Bay

•On 6 March 2023, Malema requested protestors to obstruct railways to stop trains from moving.
•Malema suggested that specifically the movement of trains that transport coal should be impeded.

•Malema also called for the blockade of the N1 and the N3 (National Routes).

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/eff-plans-national-shutdown-to-protest-load-shedding-call-for-ramaphosa-to-resign-20230129

https://nedlac.org.za/section-77-documents/
Context and Notable Events
Supplementary Risk Considerations
In recent weeks, the EFF held several mobilization events, leading up to 20 March 2023.

•On 31 January 2023, the South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) reported that they would not take part in the EFF shutdown,
despite what was claimed in social media.
However, SANTACO’s refusal to join does not exclude other non-affiliated taxi associations to join.
On 5 February 2023, Malema briefed the media that the taxi industry was open to engage with the EFF.

•On 3 March 2023, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) committed themselves to the planned national shutdown.

•Malema strategically chose the date, 20 March 2023.

• 21 March 2023 is Human Rights Day and a public holiday.
• Malema anticipates that several people would have taken leave on Monday 20 March 2023 and would therefore be available to participate in the
shutdown. As a result, a large turnout is expected.

• The NEHAWU (National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union) strike is underway

•According to the national spokesperson for the South African Policing Union, SAPU (South African Police Union), its members will go on strike from 17
March 2023.

•The initiative has support from other Trade Unions and organizations such as PAC, Land Party SA and United Democratic Movement.

• The WITS University protest is underway. The EFF voiced their support for the students to continue with their protest.

•It is estimated that South Africa already has more than 13500 protests every year. Many of the daily protests will coincide with the planned shutdown on
20 March 2023.
•Weather conditions

•https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/police-unions-to-strike-over-pay-demands-1fd86e9a-3601-4ddf-81da-f04b10480b39
Context and Notable Events
Other EFF mobilization events

There is a noticeable build up of EFF mobilization events leading up to 20 March 2023.

•27 Jan 2023: Makro Woodmead, Sandton, GP

•30 Jan 2023: N14 and R55, Knoppieslaagte, Centurion, GP
•08 Feb 2023: Eastport Logistics Park, Kempton Park, GP
•13 Feb 2023: Sparkling Auto Care Centre, Menlyn Retail Park, Menlyn, Pretoria, GP
•15 Feb 2023: Dept of Education, Marshalltown, JHB, GP
•16 Feb 2023: Tshwane Municipal Office, Tshwane, GP
•28 Feb 2023: R505 between Leeudoringstad and Wolmaransstad, NW
•02 Mar 2023: University of Johannesburg,. Kingsway Ave and University Rd., Auckland Park, Johannesburg, GP
•02 Mar 2023: Wits University, Jan Smuth Ave., Braamfontein, Johannesburg, GP
•10 Mar 2023:
Nseleni Shopping Mall, Nseleni A Nseleni, KZN
Boardwalk Mall, Mark Strasse, Richards Bay Central, Richards Bay, KZN
Meerensee Mall, Richards Bay, KZN
KwaDlangezwa taxi Rank, KwaDlangezwa, Empangeni, KZN
Possible Impact
Travel Disruptions

•Most national highways might be blocked with rocks and burning tyres.
•Trucks may not be able to travel freely, which will have an impact on delivery schedules.
•Harbours could be locked down, which would impede trade.
•Train tracks or railway infrastructure may be damaged, which could have a long-term impact on the delivery schedules.
•Public transport, including taxis, busses and trains may become inaccessible

Workforce Absenteeism – NEDLAC declaration as a Protected Strike

•Due to travel disruptions, large-scale staff absenteeism may be expected.

•In turn, staff members already at work would not be able to return home, which poses challenges in terms of the provision of
necessities, including accommodation, food and water.

Public Violence and Looting

•Protestors may intimidate and/or physically assault persons on their way to work due to their non-participation in the national
shutdown.
•Protestors may also potentially damage buildings.
•Looting of stores and shops remains a possibility.
•Parked and passing vehicles may also be pelted with rocks.
•ANC members may take issue with the fact that the EFF wants to remove President Ramaphosa from office. Therefore, conflict
and violence may erupt between members of the EFF and the ANC.
Risk Matrix - Preliminary
Participation Provincial
Large gathering Taxi Associations SAPU Strike Private Security Not Likely Likely Definite
Impact Impact

Mild Risk X GP x
Moderate Risk
NW x
Elevated Risk X
FS x
Severe Risk X x
Extreme Risk LP x

Participation Large Taxi Business Private

KZN x
SAPU Strike Looting Violence
Likelihood gathering Associations Interruptions Security
WC x
Not likely x
Likely X X x x MPU x
Definite X NC x
Uncertain x EC x
Impact Locations and Routes

GP NW FS LP KZN WC MPU NC EC

• N1 • N4 • N1 • N1 • N2 • N2 • N4 • N10 • N2
• N4 • N18 • N6 • N3 • N7 • R40 • N14 • N6
High Risk Routes • N14 • N14 • N8 • R34 • R27 • R538 • N8 • M4
• N12 • N12 • R102 • N12
• N17
• Union • Rustenburg • Office of the • Eskom • Durban City • Parliament of • Eskom Park, • Office of the • Victoria
buildings, Municipal Premier of Free Distribution, Hall. South Africa, Emalahleni. Premier or Grounds, King
Pretoria Office State. Polokwane. • King Dininzulu Cape Town. Northern Cape, William Town
• Presidential • Montshioa • Batho • Office of the Park, Greyville. • Prasa Kimberley.
residence, Stadium, Community Premier of • Richards Bay, Metrorail, cape
Bryntirion, Mahikeng. Hall. Limpopo, including coal Town.
Pretoria • Northwest • Old parliament Polokwane. terminals.
• Burgers Park, Provincial Building, • SABC Park
High Risk or
Pretoria Legislature, Phuthaditjhaba Polokwane
Gathering sites
• Eskom Mahikeng. .
Megawatt • Phuthaditjhaba
Park, Sandton Freedom
• Luthuli House, Square.
JHB.
• Office of the
Gauteng
premier, JHB.
Fidelity Services Group- National Support
National Command Centre
• ITOC will be manned, 24/7
• Direct engagement with the SAPS POCC (Provincial Operations Command Center)
• FSG representation in the POCC structures.
• Request for meetings with the SAPS National Commissioner and Generals to determine SAPS readiness / plan
of action. Process is driven by General (Ret), Johan Booysen.
• Coordination of resources
• Validating of reports and information
• Circulating information of significant development and threats (ITOC Stability Report- WhatsApp)
• Proactive notifications
• Limit the spread of false information- validating reports

Categorization of Reports
• Yellow, unconfirmed or low impact protest / gathering
• Orange, high impact protest / gathering with escalation of violence
• Red, looting and severe acts of criminality

Air and Ground Support

• National coverage of air and ground support teams.

Deployment of Support Teams

• Armored vehicles and personnel carriers
• Water canon
• Strike gear
• Strike officers
Fidelity Services Group- National Support
CODE YELLOW CODE ORANGE CODE RED
Sequence
(Un/confirmed early warning and actual protests) (Riots & Violence) (Looting)

1 Relevant POCC Relevant POCC Relevant POCC

• Dispatch SAPS – sector vehicle, POP, TRT • Dispatch SAPS – sector vehicle, POP, TRT • Dispatch SAPS – sector vehicle, POP, TRT

2 FSS/FADT Localisation Groups FSS Riot Teams (Specialised Services) FSS Riot Teams (Specialised Services)
• Engagement protocol • Engagement protocol

3 Specialized Intervention Unit Specialized Intervention Unit Specialized Intervention Unit

4 Airwing – Subject to availability / weather Armed Response Armed Response

Emergency Services Emergency Services
5 WhatsApp - ITOC Stability Report FSS/FADT Localisation Groups FSS/FADT Localisation Groups
WhatsApp- Localisation groups
6 Airwing – Subject to availability / weather Airwing - Subject to availability / weather

7 WhatsApp - ITOC Stability Report WhatsApp - ITOC Stability Report

WhatsApp- Localisation groups WhatsApp- Localisation groups
Best Practice Recommendations

Communicate plans
Plan for workforce delays Pro active deployment of
between tenants and
or absenteeism. fire equipment.
landlords.

Make provision for Consider additional

Evaluate and test
essentials like food and security personnel and
evacuation protocols.
water. equipment in advance.

Consider hygiene
requirements to host Create and test lock down
personnel for longer protocols.
periods.
 Way Forward?
• ITOC will continuously update the ITOC Stability Group with development and pertinent information.
• Written reports will be shared weekly, with increased frequencies towards 20 March 2023.
• FSG will support industry collaborations.
• Top level engagement with the SAPS. Significant information from these meetings will be shared.
• Regional deployment of the airwing will be communicated, closer to the time.
• 2 x Gauteng
• 1x KZN
• 1x Eastern Cape
• SAPS- TBC
• Industry- TBC
• ITOC Command and Control will increase capacity from 18 March 2023.
 Thank you!
Q&A
Fidelity Services Group