The National Shutdown kicked off to a shaky start last night with altercations between party members and law enforcement. Gunshots and tyres burning were the order of the day in Braamfontein, where students were protesting. About five students were arrested. In a tweet EFF member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said, "In a peaceful march in Braamfontein this evening police have started shooting at people who posed no threat or harm to anyone. Police have started to violate the right of people to peaceful protest." The EFF organised this national shutdown because they want the President to step down and for loadshedding to be dealt with.

ARRESTS MADE

Even though in most parts of the country it is business as usual, law enforcement officers through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) have in the last 12 hours arrested 87 protestors across the country for public violence related offences. Forty one people were arrested in Gauteng, 29 in North West, 15 in Free State. There are also arrests in other provinces such as Mpumalanga, KZN and the Eastern Cape. The President yesterday informed Parliament about the deployment of 3474 SANDF in response to the shutdown

CONFISCATION OF TYRES

This weekend saw a drive where 24 300 tyres were confiscated by law enforcement agencies. Police say the tyres were strategically placed for acts of criminality. 6000 were seized in the Western Cape, 4500 in the Free State, 3600 in Gauteng, 1513 in the Eastern Cape and a few in other provinces. "The Natjoints re-affirms its commitment to serving and protecting both law abiding protestors and non-protestors. The Natjoints will not allow and tolerate any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality. Anyone found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly," it said in a statement.

CRIMINALITY

Law enforcement officers are on high alert and will continue to prevent and combat any acts of criminality, maintain public order, protect the inhabitants of South Africa and their property as well as uphold and enforce the law," said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. Meanwhile Nhlanhla Lux of Operation Dudula was up as early as 4am guiding that there are no acts of criminality such as the looting of businesses.

* This is a developing story