Thousands march peacefully
May 19, 2006 Edition 1
CARVIN GOLDSTONE, NOLOYISO MCHUNU, STEPHANIE SAVILLE & CHRIS JENKINS
Thousands of people thronged the streets of Durban yesterday in support of the national Cosatu strike, which was largely peaceful.
Teachers, nurses, security guards and workers in the clothing, textile, chemical, paper and energy sectors came out in support of the national strike.
South African Police Service and Durban Metro Police officers remained on high alert and attentive to the movement of the marchers through the city. However, no incidents were reported.
The recent violent clash between police and rioting Satawu security strikers in Cape Town also had shopkeepers on tenterhooks, with several stores closed and police prohibiting the parking of vehicles along the route.
Shopkeepers watched from behind gates and closed windows as the throng swirled up Alice Street into Grey Street and then down West Street.
At one point, Cosatu leaders warned the marchers not to commit any crime. The march culminated in a meeting at the Durban City Hall, where a memorandum was handed to Labour Department officials.
Cosatu Provincial Chairman Sdumo Dlamini spoke strongly against the employment of retired professionals when there were many unemployed people in the country.
He said teaching, nursing and policing staff complements were insufficient.
Dlamini also called for better protection of school pupils and teachers, and for the government to begin fencing unprotected schools.
Cosatu also repeated its support for security guards who are on strike for better pay. However, the union body distanced itself from crime committed by the guards.
In Pietermaritzburg, teachers aligned to the National Teachers' Union (Natu) marched to the Education Department offices in the city.
They handed over a memorandum to Education MEC Ina Cronje, detailing their grievances with her department.
Police maintained a strong presence at the MEC's offices. Cronje was flanked by armed bodyguards when she received the memorandum. She said she would respond to it, and congratulated the teachers on a disciplined march.
Education spokeswoman Christi Naude said Natu had recently failed in court action against the department.
In the court case, the union alleged that the department was biased in the selection of candidates for promotions.
"The court ruled in the department's favour, with costs," she said, adding that some of the problems relating to the delivery of textbooks had not been foreseen.
The CEO of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, Andrew Layman, said it appeared the strike had had little impact on businesses.
Supermarket chain Shoprite said it had been affected to varying degrees around the country.
The group's Human Resources Director, Callie Burger, said absenteeism had varied from 21% to 58% across all provinces.
Metrorail spokeswoman Tozi Baloyi said rail services had been limited as a result of the absence of train drivers. She said 22 buses had been hired to transport commuters.
Si Dlamini, of Ogwini High School in Umlazi, said 50% of staff at the school did not turn up for work yesterday. KZN Health Department spokesman Leon Mbangwa said all provincial hospitals had functioned normally. He said there were no reports of a lack of services.
In Richards Bay, a Cosatu-led march by about 300 people caused traffic congestion in the town's Alton industrial area. The protesters made their way slowly towards Bell Equipment, where a memorandum was handed over to the company management. The group then boarded buses to join thousands of others at Esikhawini for a rally addressed by ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
