UAE Embassy In South Africa Urges Citizens To 'Take Caution' Ahead Of Nationwide Shutdown

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called on Emiratis residing in South Africa to move to safety amid an impending nationwide shutdown in the country in a bid to overthrow President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In a tweet earlier Monday, the UAE's embassy in South Africa issued an advisory urging citizens in the country to err on the side of caution as the protests might turn violent.

"The UAE Embassy in Pretoia calls upon the citizens of the country to take caution and avoid places and regions witnessing protest demonstrations and gatherings in various regions of South Africa, and the need to move to safe places. In case of emergency, please contact the embassy on the phone number: 0027123427736," the embassy wrote on Twitter.

The advisory comes a week after opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for a nationwide shutdown on March 20 over unresolved issues in the country, including increased load shedding, inflation, corruption scandals involving the African National Congress, and insecurity across the country. The call has since won the support of several other parties, including the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, the United Democratic Movement, and the South African Federation of Trade Unions.

Days before the massive demonstrations, the EFF urged businesses, public transport unions, public service workers, teachers and students to support the protests and stay away from work. The party has also allegedly threatened violence against businesses that would not take to the streets and support the cause.

South African authorities ordered on Sunday a heavy police presence on streets to prevent any possible violence that might lead to the deadly unrest.

"The president has instructed law enforcement agencies to ensure that we do not have to see the repeat of those scenes that we saw back in 2021," said President Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

"The state has a responsibility to ensure that citizens can go on about their day, in a normal way and when doing so, that they are safe and that they are not subjected to any anarchy or any form of violence," he added.

President Ramaphosa also warned that anarchy during the protests will not be tolerated.