Strike: Comrades will be run

2007-06-11 22:19

Pietermaritzburg - The Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, June 17 regardless of any disruption caused by striking public servants and at whatever cost to the organisers.

That was the upbeat message from Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) chairperson Dave Dixon and Msunduzi Mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo at a media conference to launch the countdown to the race on Monday..

"Our prime concern is to protect the runners, so we will have aggressive control over any threats to that. Should there be disruptions there are plans to deal with them," Dixon said, adding that "come hell or high water, the starting gun will be fired" by Hlatshwayo at 05:30 next Sunday.

Dixon was quoted in media reports as admitting "the race is under threat", in light of weekend reports that police unions are considering joining the strike. Police are prohibited from striking as their work is deemed an essential service.

"While we have contingency plans in place, we still believe all role-players need to come to the party. That includes the Road Traffic Inspectorate, the SAPS and Metro Police," Dixon said.

Current CMA back-up plans include hiring private security to patrol the race route should SAPS members decide to strike.

Hlatshwayo said City officials will meet with the CMA and union representatives on Thursday this week to discuss contingency plans for dealing with possible disruptions.

"Strike action is disruptive by nature, so things cannot be exactly the same as previous years. But the City will ensure the race is as close to normal as possible, especially as it raises the international profile of Pietermaritzburg," she said.

Regarding podium positions, Dixon said: "I'll put my head on a block that we will have a South African winner this year", but did not specify whether this would be in the men's or women's category.

- The Witness