EFF leader Julius Malema has accused transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga of sabotaging the party’s national shutdown efforts as thousands of protestors took to the streets today.

In what looked like a massive protest drive as depicted by marchers who embarked on the shutdown as early as 11pm last night, today’s turnout proved underwhelming, causing EFF detractors to claim that Malema had failed.

Addressing marchers in Pretoria this afternoon, Malema said the shutdown was technically a success but hinted that the government sabotaged their logistical arrangements.

“This is the most successful shutdown ever in the history of struggle in South Africa. On my way here, they said they are cancelling load shedding today because there is no demand for electricity because the factories are closed.

“The biggest consumers of electricity are closed. Scientifically, you should measure (this) as a success of the shutdown. Today, there is no big mall, there is no small mall, no shop, no factory, no school, nothing. All of them are closed.

“In Richards Bay, there is no single truck that was seen. There is no train that was seen. Today, South Africa is shutdown, but those who pretend to be opposed to anarchy say the shutdown is not successful because there is no looting or burning of property,” said Malema.

The charismatic leader said the detractors wanted to portray the EFF as an organisation of anarchists, but failed due to the discipline of the party members and supporters.

“We are an organisation of disciplined forces of the left and can shut down the country without burning a building or looting. Looting is not our mission. Today, the topic is whether shutdown is successful or not. It is not about looting.

“You like it or not, South Africa has been shutdown today. As we speak today, Sandton City has been shut down. There is no single shop in Sandton City that has been opened. Why? The mighty EFF does so without burning a building or doing anything illegal,” he said