South Africa: Demonstrations in Cape Town April 12

Event

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is planning to stage a protest in Cape Town on Thursday, April 12.  Participants are expected to gather at 10:00 (local time) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on Keizergracht Street before marching to the parliament building. The march is being held to protest a proposed national minimum wage as well as the authorities' handling of the ongoing water crisis. A heightened security presence along with localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in the area. Clashes with security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Cape Town is currently facing its worst water shortage of the past 113 years. South African authorities declared a state of natural disaster across the country on February 13 over the ongoing drought in the southern and western parts of the country and the associated water shortages in Cape Town. Authorities have advised Cape Town residents to reduce their water consumption to 50 liters per day (13.2 gallons per day) or less, businesses by 45 percent, and agricultural users by 60 percent. Water restrictions have been in place in Cape Town since 2005 but have become increasingly strict since December 2015. Authorities are also on guard against an increased risk of wildfires in the region due to the dry conditions.

Unions are a powerful sector in South Africa. Strikes and demonstrations affecting multiple sectors - usually in relation to wage demands - are common and sometimes turn violent.

Advice

Individuals present in Cape Town are advised to avoid all demonstrations as violence can break out with little to no warning.