CT withdraws OK for march

2006-05-17 15:33

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has withdrawn permission for the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) to march there during the national strike on Thursday.

Mayoral spokesperson Robert MacDonald said the decision came after striking security guards, led by the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), looted chain stores and smashed shop and car windows in the city on Tuesday.

"We have withdrawn permission for the march in view of what happened yesterday (Tuesday).

"Satawu will be one of the participating unions in the march and we decided it will be unlikely that Cosatu will be able to prevent Satawu from hijacking the event," said MacDonald.

"The decision is also in the best interest of the people in the city. We are also going to get a court interdict in case they (Cosatu) ignore the city's revoking."

Police

MacDonald said there would be a strong police presence on Thursday to monitor the situation.

Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said the federation would abide by the injunction.

"However, we think it is an infringement of our basic democratic rights and we totally reject the city's argument that we will not be able to prevent Satawu from hijacking the event," said Craven.

He said Cosatu would seek legal advice on the matter.

Damages

MacDonald said the city has also decided to claim damages from Satawu following Tuesday's violence.

"We are entitled to claim damages from the organisation responsible for the march, but we have not yet contacted them. Our legal department will be contacting them soon."

A meeting would be arranged soon where members of the public who suffered losses or damage during the strike on Tuesday could go for legal advice and assistance, MacDonald said.

- SAPA