July 29, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
DAY three of the municipal workers strike was more low-keyed than previous days - with about 200 people showing up in Johannesburg's CBD to protest.
A national three-day strike was called following deadlock over wage negotiations.
The employer body, the South African Local Government Association has implemented an increase of 6 percent, while the unions are demanding a 9 percent wage increase.
On Friday, South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members gathered at the Central Methodist Church in downtown Joburg before heading off in different directions to regroup at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
On their arrival some began to chant and sing, while others sat on the grass, waiting. The protesters planned to picket at the centre "until mayor Amos Masondo comes and accepts our memorandum", according to Samwu's Johannesburg branch chairperson, Esaw Mbhele.
South African Police Service and Metro Police officers were on hand, watching the situation.
On Thursday, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department warned Samwu that the planned marches did not comply with laws regulating marches and were therefore illegal. Some 70 protestors were arrested during the day.
Organisers had to apply for permission to hold a protest march, giving seven days' notice, explained the City's director of communications, Gabu Tugwana. This had not been done.
"There are a number of things that should be in place if people are going to march," he said.
"We need to be prepared in terms of security and emergency management services because a lot of things can happen during a march."
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
