Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
OVER 550 PEOPLE ARRESTED DURING THE NATIONAL SHUTDOWN
As the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took to the streets for their #NationalShutdown this week, more than 550 people were arrested across the country. The national shutdown was to call for an end to load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests at 149 people in total. The Northern Cape had the second highest number of arrests, with 95, followed by the Eastern Cape, with 80, and the Free State, with 64.
Those that were arrested faced charges such as intimidation, public violence, damage to critical infrastructure, theft, and attempted looting.
THE ANC SAYS THE EFF’S NATIONAL SHUTDOWN WAS A FAILURE
After members of the EFF took to the streets on Monday, the ANC has deemed their march unsuccessful.
Speaking at Luthuli House yesterday, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says the red berets tried to threaten South Africa’s economy during their shutdown.
The red berets took to the streets, calling for an end to load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
Mbalula says the shutdown was intended to paralyze the country, but it failed to materialize.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX INCREASES BY 0.7% IN FEBRUARY
Statistics South Africa has announced that the consumer price index increased by 0.7% month-on-month in February, taking it to 7 percent, which is up from 6.9 percent in January.
Stats SA says the main contributors to the increase were food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utilities, and transport, among others.
This is not good news for borrowers in the country because the data will be used to decide on the repo rate next week.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 13,6% year-on-year, contributing 2,3 percentage points to the total CPI, while transport increased by 9,9% year-on-year, contributing 1,4 percentage points.
THE CITY OF TSHWANE IS STILL WITHOUT A MAYOR

The City of Tshwane held a special council meeting on Wednesday but failed to elect a new mayor.
This came after city speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana adjourned proceedings until further notice in order to continue seeking legal advice on issues delaying the election of the mayor.
Wednesday’s sitting saw two adjournments after Ndzwanana received 2 letters, one related to Cope’s Justice Sefanyetso, who was removed as the party’s PR councilor.
The other letter addressed the issue of Action SA councilors whose memberships were terminated in February after they allegedly voted for Dr. Murunwa Makwarela to become mayor.
FIVE PEOPLE SHOT AND KILLED IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN KZN
Police have launched an investigation following the killing of five people in KwaZulu-Natal in two separate incidents.
This happened after two gunmen, armed with a rifle and a pistol, fired shots at two taxi owners who were seated inside a taxi at the corner of Cannongate Road and Carter Road in Berea.
Police say in another separate incident, a 42-year-old man and his 34-year-old wife were fatally wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting on Peter Road in Springfield.
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