PMB 'will be brought to a halt'

2008-07-15 13:20

Pietermaritzburg - ANC president Jacob Zuma's court appearance and Cosatu's mass action are likely to bring businesses in Pietermaritzburg to a halt in the first week of August.

Chief executive for the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business Andrew Layman said it "may be a very bad week for business, particularly in Pietermaritzburg.

"Taxi associations have apparently indicated that they will not be operating on August 4 in solidarity with Zuma. If in fact they do cease operations from that Monday then business will be disrupted.

"The fact that taxis don't operate would be more disruptive to business than the strike itself as workers would have no transport to work."

Zuma was set to appear in the high court on August 4 and 5 to try and have the National Prosecuting Authority's decision to prosecute him declared unconstitutional.

Nationwide protest

On Wednesday, August 6, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) would hold a nationwide protest against rising fuel and food costs and job losses caused by the electricity crisis.

KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Alliance chairperson Eugene Hadebe confirmed that taxis would not be running and said a meeting to discuss the matter was underway.

At this stage, he said, there had been no reaction from businesses in the area, even though they may have their own plans in place.

Cosatu's Zet Luzipho told Sapa the ANC would be meeting this weekend to discuss the schedule for Zuma's appearance.

"We are not sure what the plans are like for those two days, but I suspect there will be one or two night vigils."

SA will be in 'a state of turmoil'

He said Zuma's appearance and the Cosatu strike would not only disrupt businesses in Pietermaritzburg, but it would affect South Africa as a whole.

"Reality will prevail... Zuma's case is going to turn this country into a state of turmoil. We don't expect it would be just Pietermaritzburg that will be affected... With the strike action as well, the entire KwaZulu-Natal and the country as a whole will be affected during this week."

Luzipho was unable to put a figure as to how many supporters were expected at Zuma's court appearance.

"All we know is that many will take leave or book off work for those days and those on the receiving end will feel the pinch."

He however stressed that there would be no Cosatu protest outside the court itself.

Pietermaritzburg Tourism spokesperson Melanie Veness said there had been no hotel bookings out of the ordinary.

"We have just had our normal, regular customers and there's nothing out of the ordinary for this period of the year. People generally book about 10 days prior to the occasion," she said.

- SAPA