South Africa: Teachers plan to demonstrate across KwaZulu-Natal, Aug. 17

Event

Teachers from the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) are planning to stage pickets outside Education Department offices across KwaZulu-Natal province, Aug. 17. Gatherings were due to start at 10:00. In Pietermaritzburg, teachers will gather in front of the provincial legislature building to hand over a memorandum to local officials. Teachers have launched the protest action calling for the payment of salaries and denouncing unfilled vacancies, among other things.

Police will likely deploy to monitor the various protest sites. Demonstrators may cause localized transportation disruptions. Any street protests that form have the potential to be highly disruptive. Widespread violence is unlikely.

Advice

Avoid all demonstrations as a precaution. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. Use alternative routes to avoid rally venues; allow additional time to reach destinations.