LIVE: #SAFTUstrike marchers reach legislature, police stand guard
JOBURG – The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is today embarking on a nationwide strike.
Update, 25 April, 1pm:
https://twitter.com/AndreiVW/status/989087659514613762
NEWTOWN
A number of protestors have arrived at Mary Fitzgerald Square, the crowd is expected to grow to about 7000 people.
There is heavy police and metro presence.
Metro police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar, said, “They [protestors] will hand in three memorandums today, including a stop at the Department of Labour.”
He added that metro police would be diverting traffic during the protest.
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https://twitter.com/AndreiVW/status/989045934704287744
https://twitter.com/AndreiVW/status/989040156677234690
https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/989048978674257921
ALEXANDRA
Protest action has flared up on London Road near the Alex Mall in Alexandra and roads leading to the N3 highway are blocked to traffic.
This comes as the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is today embarking on a nationwide strike with 20 of its unions said to march in a bid to pressurise the government not to implement the R20 minimum wage bill.
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/989016895067164673
Situation right now from Alexandra township. #SAFTUStrike #NationalShutdown
📹 @QhamaZulu pic.twitter.com/D88jmt66qg
— Mika'el 🥷🏾 (@MikeyMashila) April 25, 2018
The march in Johannesburg is said to begin at the Newtown Precinct Park and protesters will march to the Department of Labour, the Gauteng Department of Health and Gauteng Premier, David Makhura’s office.
@TrafficSA tweeted the route details:
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/988662005556023302
Take Note: #SAFTUstrike tomorrow 25 April 2018. Routes and assemble points for the planned national strike. pic.twitter.com/PdNzI2IFJa
— Netstar Traffic (@netstartraffic) April 24, 2018
ALSO READ: 10 things you need to know about the #SAFTUstrike tomorrow
According to @TrafficSA on Twitter, there were no traffic issues experienced on the highway network earlier this morning:
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/989014763492474880
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/988977202090954752
ALSO READ: Every worker has the right to strike: What you need to know for the #SAFTUstrike
Meanwhile, the government tweeted:
The proposed national minimum wage is by no means a living wage, but it is a necessary policy intervention that will help address poverty. #NationalMinimumWage #SAFTUstrike pic.twitter.com/IGIo3MNQoc
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 25, 2018
Don’t miss your flight
The management of O.R. Tambo International Airport advised passengers of possible delays in reaching the airport today due to the national strike.
Spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler said that while the airport does not anticipate flight delays, management will continue to monitor the impact of the strike as the day progresses.
“As this is a national strike, there is some potential impact on road transport. This could have an impact on the time it takes to travel to the airport. We would advise passengers to play it safe, to anticipate potential delays and leave earlier for the airport than they would under normal circumstances,” says Gunkel-Keuler.
“However, from an airport management perspective we are planning for minimal disruption of airport operations,” she says.
“As a national key point we have contingency plans that can be activated immediately should the situation warrant such action,” says Gunkel-Keuler.
How is the strike affecting you? Share your experiences in the comment section below
