Thousands expected to protest

2008-07-23 11:06

Johannesburg - Hundreds of protesters started arriving in the Johannesburg city centre ahead of a Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) protest against rising electricity and fuel prices on Wednesday.

Cosatu members gathered at the Beyers Naude square carried signs saying "Away with food prices" and "Away with high fuel prices". Others were holding up placards complaining about a 27.5% hike in electricity prices.

Protesters, dressed in red T-shirts, were singing songs and blowing on vuvuzelas as a strong police contingent kept a close watch.

Commuters have been left stranded as most taxi, bus and train operators are expected to join in the Johannesburg march which would see road closures in the city centre from 11:00 until 15:00.

"But we have made arrangements for those coming to the march. They will be bussed in," said Gauteng Cosatu secretary Siphiwe Mgcina.

Metro police are expecting at least 10 000 protesters to take part in the march. Members of the Gauteng African National Congress are also participating.

Protests in other parts of the country

Cosatu, which held protests in the Free State, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga last week, is also staging protests in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West on Wednesday.

A national stayaway is planned for August 6.

Meanwhile, about 200 000 people were expected to join Cosatu protests across the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, the union federation said.

Spokesperson Xola Phakati said there was a total shutdown of industries, mines and essential services.

"There are four marches that are going to be taking place at different areas at the same time and we are expecting all Cosatu members to join us. This protest is to show the anger of the workers towards big businesses and the government."

Protest marches would take place in Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha and Queenstown.

Phakati said workers could no longer tolerate the high cost of living. "In most cases the meagre earnings of workers are just spent on food and nothing else. How can we live like this?"

Police across the Eastern Cape were out in full force to monitor the marches. Spokesperson Captain Johan van Rheeder said Port Elizabeth was quiet.

"There are several police on duty to ensure that everything goes on smoothly."

Captain Jackson Manatha from the Queenstown area said buses are still bringing people in.

- SAPA