The South African police said yesterday that the protests called by the opposition for next Monday, due to the energy crisis, go beyond a strike and are an attempt to bring down the government of Cyril Ramaphosa.

"This is an attempt to overthrow the government. This is not a strike, it's illegal," stressed Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, head of the KwaZulu-Natal police, while briefing on the security plans for the coming days.

"The scale of the threats differs from other planned protests and that is why we have to be more vigilant," said Mkhwanazi, who warned the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party that it will be charged if there are deaths and damage to property, reports the South African newspaper 'The Witness', quoted by the Europa Press news agency and Lusa.

The police chief assured that the EFF had not notified the authorities of the call for these protests and guaranteed that, if the police authorities are aware of them, it is thanks to the media.

"Everyone has the right to demonstrate, the law allows people to gather. They don't even need to ask permission, they just need to give notice. They can gather, whatever the party, but they need to give notice," insisted Mkhwanazi, as reported by eNCA News.

Police Minister Bheki Cele warned protesters that anyone caught breaking the law or preventing others from going to work will be arrested.

"Those who are going to protest have the right to demonstrate, but there are restrictions and forms and measures to follow. You don't have the permission or the right to harm anyone, or to prevent any South African who wants to from going to work," said Cele, who promised to protect those who want to work.

"No one should loot establishments or force anyone to close their business. We will be there to stop anyone who tries to force anyone to do anything against their will," he concluded.