'People of George also tired'

Gallery Update

GEORGE NEWS - "We want load-shedding to end and we want Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. Cyril must know even the people of George are tired of him."

These were the words of EFF Western Cape provincial secretary Mbulelo Magwala after their march on Monday.

He says the people of George are tired of load-shedding, just like all other South Africans. "We are tired of unemployment, shortage of police and gender based violence to name a few."

Magwala added they also have messages for the leaders in George. "The transport sector in George is not well managed. We have the Go George crisis and people are dying. The community is divided. The community was never asked what their feelings were about Go George," he said.

A small group of about 50 protestors gathered at Fourways in Thembalethu on Monday morning before embarking on the march down Nelson Mandela Boulevard. From there they headed into town to the municipality. As they walked into town, more people joined them.

The marchers were escorted all the way by public order police (Pops), traffic officers and police vehicles.

According to a letter by Magwala that was delivered to various businesses in George before the march, the national shutdown is a cry to rescue the future of this country and all its citizens.

"We are happy [that] the message is out," Magwala said after the march.

PHOTO GALLERY: EFF protestors in George taking part in national shutdown

He thanked the community of George who joined them along the way. "We were outnumbered by the police this morning. But we couldn't retreat. We had to wait for our people, but we are happy with the end results. We've touched a nerve. The protest was all about touching a nerve. A nerve that Cyril [Ramaphosa] must know even the people of George are tired of him," he said.

Security operations

Planned operations were executed by departments in various sectors of George and surrounding areas from Friday 17 March leading up to Sunday evening at midnight. Mass patrols took place through the night until Monday late afternoon.

According to George Community Police Forum chairperson Rupert Pretorius, there was one incident of tyre burning in Thembalethu and one attempt on the N2 opposite Thembalethu.

Both incidents were stopped within minutes of being reported.

"Several vehicles attempting to transport tyres were also stopped by patrols and vehicle control points, preventing serious vandalism to infrastructure," he said.

More people joined the initially small group as they were marching down Nelson Mandela Boulevard. Photos: Kristy Kolberg