The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) continue their blockage on Clicks outlets around the country as per their promise, while another store has been confirmed to have been the victim of a petrol bombing.
The Clicks store at the Cycad Shopping Centre in Polokwane, Limpopo, fell victim of being petrol bombed at some stage on Monday morning, with police investigating the incident that bares similarities to an act of arson committed at a Clicks store in Witbank, Mpumalanga, on the same day.
This follows EFF leader Julius Malema’s pledge to visit “all Clicks outlets in Polokwane”, having started with the outlet located in the Mall of the North at 9:00 on Monday 7 September.
Malema addressed his supporters at a store in Polokwane earlier on Monday and said that the action taking place around the country would continue until the EFF’s demands are met.
“If any store of Clicks is open, inform the EFF and we will come and close it,” he said. “We are tired of white arrogance.”
He urged his supporters to be prepared to “respond quickly” and move to shutdown Clicks stores that try and open to the public.
“Today is the beginning of a rolling action against Clicks,” he said. “Every day, fighters, you must be combat ready. If there is a store open, you must respond quickly, and we will go and shut down those stores.”
Malema also called for security guards and the police to stay out of their way as they engage in what he considers to be “peaceful protest”.
“Black security guards respect yourselves. Stop provoking people who are not fighting against you. Black policemen, start respecting yourself.”
“When you are called, you should ask the question ‘is there any crime being committed?’ Peaceful protest is not a crime,” he said. It is protected by the constitution. We have a right to protest and we require nobody’s permission.”
He said that his supporters require no permit to engage in protest, and that police should respect the democratic process he says is being observed.
“We are here, without a policeman’s permission. This is not Apartheid time, where police thought they were more powerful than the people. Police must learn to respect people.”
Main Image: Daily Sabah
