South Africa: Police trade union to march to Union Buildings in Pretoria, Sept. 20

Event

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) plan to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria Sept. 20 to demand higher wages. POPCRU has indicated that the march will start at Church Square before proceeding to the National Treasury and then the Union Buildings. The protest is likely to start in the morning. Hundreds of people are likely to participate in the event.

Heightened security is likely in the vicinity of the protest march route. The protest action and security force response, which could include road closures, could result in ground travel and business operation disruptions. Clashes between demonstrators and police are possible if protesters engage in acts of public violence, especially as they approach the Union Buildings. There is an incidental threat to bystanders should any violence occur.

Context

POPCRU is one of the largest South African trade Unions representing over 120,000 members from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and traffic officers. Wage negotiations between POPCRU and the Government have been ongoing since August.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a standard precaution and to mitigate likely ground travel delays. Plan for road travel delays in and near the protest area. Heed instructions from the security forces. If any violence erupts nearby, immediately depart the area and seek shelter at a non-government building.