The South African authorities said more than 550 people were arrested on Monday during a demonstration called by a left-wing party to prevent deadly riots like those that occurred in 2021.
In a statement, the special security unit called Natjoints, which includes both armed police and intelligence, said the reasons for the arrests included intimidation, damage, theft, and violence on the public highway.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party called on South Africans to stage a “revolution” and blockade the country on Monday to demand the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, blaming him for the country’s power crisis, endemic unemployment, and growing inequality.
Local media correspondents reported that about 5,000 people responded to the party’s invitation and gathered in the capital Pretoria.
The “maximum mobilization” of police across the country allowed businesses and services to operate with a minimum of reported criminal incidents, according to Natjoints.