AfriForum is of the opinion that the EFF’s attempt to bring the entire country to a standstill on 20 March will fail. However, the organisation’s more than 160 local neighbourhood watches are on standby to help protect communities in residential neighbourhoods together with other security role players in cases where disruptions may occur.
According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety, the organisation’s thousands of neighbourhood watch volunteers are at the ready with their numerous drones and a multitude of other safety equipment to assist communities within the framework of the law, should circumstances require it.
“AfriForum neighbourhood watches have already drawn up contingency plans and communicate continuously with our network of neighbourhood watches and other role players to keep a close eye on the situation. If community members monitor the situation in their local area and avoid the areas where isolated violence by the EFF may take place, they can continue with their lives as normal on 20 March,” concludes Broodryk.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, the mere fact that the EFF chose a national school holiday to “bring schools to a standstill” confirms that they lack the power to close schools and the rest of the country. “90% of the public does not support the EFF and community members of all cultures have stood up against wrongdoers in their own communities in large numbers during riots in the past. On 20 March it will certainly not do the EFF’s health any favours if peace-loving communities exercise their inalienable right to protect their communities and themselves against illegal aggression,” says Kriel.
AfriForum encouraged parents and children, who are taking a well-deserved break during Monday’s school holiday, to enjoy the long weekend without any fear but to still be vigilant.
Receive AfriForum’s daily safety report on the planned strikes on 20 March here
Read the original article in Afrikaans on AfriForum
