Central SA
Dukwana meets with police commissioner ahead of shutdown─── LUCKY NKUYANE 08:13 Sat, 18 Mar 2023
Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, has met with the provincial police commissioner at the OR Tambo Building in Bloemfontein ahead of the expected Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national shutdown on Monday 20 March 2023.
The meeting between Dukwana and Commissioner Baile Motswenyane comes as Police Minister Bheki Cele announced there will be a large contingent of police on the ground to quell any potential acts of violence or intimidation.
Dukwana joined many in government in dismissing the planned shutdown.
He labelled the planned shutdown over a variety of issues including unemployment, gender-based violence (GBV) and the electricity crisis, as a desperate attempt by individuals in pursuit of narrow gains.
Dukwana has since encouraged residents to go about their normal routine as police will be on hand to quell any attempts to cause anarchy.
The EFF this week issued a stern warning to businesses to close ahead of this protest. The protest is expected to take place across the province, as well as the Northern Cape, and the North West.
Premier Dukwana has since assured residents of the province that the police will not allow any harm to come their way on Monday.
"Government will not tolerate any acts of criminality and lawlessness from thugs whose aim will be to cause chaos for narrow personal gain," Dukwana said.
