South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has told citizens that their rights to protest does “not give anyone the right to harass, intimidate or threaten anyone else”.
He has also warned against damaging property or harming other people.
It comes amid protests organised by the minority Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party across the country.
Dubbed the national shutdown they are calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign accusing him of corruption and mismanaging an energy crisis.
South African police have so far arrested 87 people in connection with the protests. The state has also deployed more than 3,000 soldiers to help guard key infrastructure.
“Just as the state has a duty to uphold the right to peaceful protest, it has a responsibility to prevent any attempt to violate any of the other rights in the constitution,” the president said in a statement.
