South Africa: Nationwide strike and labor protests Sep. 27

Event

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called for a nationwide strike to take place on Wednesday, September 27. Around 100,000 people are expected to participate in marches and rallies in at least 13 cities across the country. In Durban, the march will reportedly begin at 10:00 (local time) at DinuZulu (Botha's Park) and end at City Hall around 13:00. The march in Cape Town is scheduled start at 11:00 on Keizersgracht Street, and proceed from there down Darling St. to the National Parliament. City officials have asked demonstrators to disperse by 15:00, and additional police will be deployed to manage security and road closures. Additional security forces will be deployed along march routes throughout the country and traffic disruptions are to be expected.

Context

COSATU organized the nationwide strike in response to allegations of pervasive corruption by the government of President Jacob Zuma. The protest actions come after reports emerged that Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba allegedly attempted to use funds from the Public Investment Corporation, which contains many assets belonging to the Government Employees Pensions Fund, to bail out state-owned enterprises. COSATU is also calling for President Zuma to resign.

On August 8, President Zuma survived a vote of no-confidence in the National Parliament. Many in Zuma's ruling African National Congress (ANC) see him as a key cause of dwindling support in local elections. The vote was the seventh motion against him, mostly attributed to scandals surrounding his presidency and a general discontent regarding prevailing corruption, inequality, unemployment, high crime rates, and poor handling of the current economic crisis.

Advice

Individuals in South Africa are advised to monitor the situation, to anticipate potential transportation disruptions, and to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence. ​