KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, on behalf of the Provincial Government calls for calm as rumours in social media intensify of a planned national stay away tomorrow.

The rumours are also based on a poster that has been widely circulated in the social media circles announcing a national shutdown as well as a march through the City of Durban to be held on Monday, 23 August 2021.

“We wish to state first and foremost that as the government of the people, we stand ready to engage and listen to the concerns of all citizens or any sector of our society,” said Premier Zikalala.

“Protests and marches are legal in South Africa, which means that they must be conducted in terms of the law and national lockdown regulations. This right must never be used to infringe on the freedom of others,” said Premier Zikalala.

“We wish to reiterate our position that as far as government is concerned, tomorrow is a normal working day. We call for calm as we are not aware of anyone who is authorised to carry out a shutdown of businesses tomorrow, or any other time. We advise employers and society in general to conduct their business as normal but exercise extra vigilance. The rumours are being taken very serious and our law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to safeguard the right to life, freedom of movement, property and any other eventuality,” said Premier Zikalala.

“In this regard our law-enforcement authorities have been alerted of this possible development and are ready to deal with the situation to ensure law and order in KwaZulu-Natal. We are in the process of economic recovery and rebuilding of the province following the recent civil unrest. We need to protect and save jobs and livelihoods of citizens. We must not be distracted from our mission which is to reignite economic growth and to create much-needed jobs,” Premier Zikalala concluded.