A number of leading businesses in East London were forced to shut their doors for a while yesterday when Economic Freedom Fighters supporters marched to the premises protesting against alleged exploitation of workers by these companies.
The party, which is rallying support for its fifth birthday bash at Sisa Dukashe stadium on Saturday, warned yesterday that it was on a roll.
More businesses were to receive “visits” from the EFF militants.
Videos of hundreds of raging people draped in EFF regalia singing and dancing in front of the businesses went viral on social media.
The disruptive demonstrations, which brought production to a standstill at some firms, came after workers from 35 East London companies filed complaints with the party led by firebrand Julius Malema, who has been whipping up support in the metro.
He promised Mdantsane followers that he would continue being “unruly” until they had their service delivery demands met.
EFF regional spokesman Xolile Mboni said businesses “shut down” by EFF yesterday included Summerpride Foods, Paramount Mills, Pick n Pay Greenfields, Debi Lee Spar in Greenfields and Real People Investment Holdings in Quigney.
The Dispatch’s efforts to get comments from three of the companies was unsuccessful last night. Greenfields Spar store manager Craig Webb refused to comment and blocked the Dispatch from speaking to the owner. A man who introduced himself as Anele Maputi from Paramount’s invoicing department said officials authorised to speak to the media had already left the office.
A man who answered the phone at Summerpride Foods said he was a security guard and told the Dispatch to call today as there were no officials available for comment...