All eyes are on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where protestors taking part in the much-publicised shutdown on Wednesday are expected to gather.
The protest action is being led by the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) and Congress for South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
SAFTU and COSATU have called for the shutdown to protest against the high unemployment rate and the rising cost of living.
The Public Servants Association (PSA), which represents more than 235 000 public-sector employees, has announced that it was in full support of the national shutdown
“Growing frustration in the country is mainly ascribed to certain government policies that only benefit the country’s elite, whilst the unemployed, the poor, and middle-class workers are slipping deeper into despair,” the PSA said on the eve of the shutdown.
“The current food-basket price alone has increased by 14% in 2022. Despite this, the government is offering a mere 2%-salary increase to its employees.
“This is regarded as an insult to these workers who remained at the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep the country afloat. South African citizens further can no longer keep up with the additional financial burden caused by ongoing interest-rate hikes.
“The current economic climate is no longer conducive, and families are forced to consider drastic alternatives to cut expenses in an effort to cope.”
The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) said it will “lead the unprecedented march on 23 August 2022 that will see the country’s capital (Pretoria), on complete lockdown.”
“The working-class community, led by NUPSAW, will occupy several government department offices and then wrap up the mass action with a Night-Virgil at the Union Building,” the union said in a statement Tuesday.
“The purpose of the demonstration is to reflect the broader societal concerns resulting from poor governance, austerity measures, corruption, neo-liberal policies, and many other government failures.”
A notice of the protest action has already been served to the National Economic Development and Labour Council – a move unionists said made the shutdown a “protected strike”.
However, the government has warned it will implement the “no work no pay” policy on public servants who participate in the planned protest action.
The Department of Public Service and Administration on Tuesday cautioned that while protest actions are protected by the Labour Relations Act, “those employees who fall within the essential services are prohibited from participating in these protests during working hours”.
Economists have warned that the shutdown could exacerbate the problems the unions are complaining about including joblessness.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has disassociated itself from the protest action.
Santaco chief strategy manager Bafana Magagula said taxi operations will carry on as normal on Wednesday.
Marchers are expected to The marchers will gather from 08:00 at corner Lillian Ngoyi Street and Jeff Masemola Street (Burgers park).
The route of the march is as follows:
From the gathering point, the marchers will march southbound on Lillian Ngoyi Street, turn right onto Madiba Street, and proceed straight until they reach the Union Buildings.
Tshwane Metro Police has warned the following streets will be affected:
* Francis Baard Street
* Nana Sita Street
* Vissagie Street
* Pretorius Street
* Helen Joseph Street
* Madiba Street
* Sisulu Street
* Du Toit Street
* Nelson Mandela Drive
* Steve Biko Street
* Hamilton Street
The protestors are expected to disperse from the Union Buildings at 14:30.
Tshwane Metro Police officers will be deployed to monitor the march and all affected streets.
Motorists are advised to avoid affected streets and use alternative routes such as:
* Jeff Masemola Street
* Thabo Sehume Street
* Struben Street
* Bosman Street
* Paul Kruger Street
* Edmond Street
* Park Street
* Boom Street
Meanwhile, the general-secretary of Saftu, Zwelinzima Vavi, has warned that mass action will intensify ahead of the mid-term budget in October and next year’s State of the Nation Address.
