NATIONAL SHUTDOWN ON WEDNESDAY

Trade Unions will embark on a nation wide shutdown on Wednesday, 24 August 2022.

The trade union federation (SAFTU) has asked all unions to join the strike but only a handful have agreed to down tools on Wednesday, Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi told a news conference on Monday.

Some of the unions joining the protest action include COSATU, FAWU, SAICWU, SACTWU, DETAWU, SACOSWU, ICTU amongst others.

Other organisations that will be joining in the shutdown are Treatment Action Campaign, Workers and Socialist Party, Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee and Kopanong Africa.

The South African Federation of Trade Union (SAFTU) General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi said the aim of the shutdown is to address escalating standard of living, petrol prices, loadshedding, rising interest rates, rising unemployment and rising job losses.

Vavi said the shutdown was also to protest the high levels of crime and violence in the country.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) which is the umbrella body of the taxi industry said “Despite numerous requests to participate in the National shutdown, SANTACO will NOT participate in the planned National shutdown.”

Ivory Park Taxi Association (IPTA) which is a member of SANTACO will also not be participating in the shutdown. Taxis are expected to ferry passengers as normal.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) said it will not be ferrying kids to various schools around Gauteng.

In Gauteng, the march will be taking place in Pretoria. The assembly point is at Burgers Park in Pretoria at 06:00 to start marching to the Union Buildings from 10:00.

KAE News will monitor the situation and advise accordingly. Residents are urged to exercise cautious if going to work.