TRADE Union members responded in their numbers to the call by a collaboration of unions for a mass national strike against corruption and state capture on Wednesday.
Trade unions, COSATU, SDTU and civil society members gathered in King Dinizulu Park before setting off through the Durban CBD to the City Hall where they handed over a memorandum.
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The strikers made their way along Dr Pixley kaSeme Street (formerly West street) from 10am, and it was estimated that they would reach the city hall by 1pm.
Cosatu member, Bongi Bhengu spoke to Berea Mail of his dislike for government corruption and his hopes that the protest action would be successful. “Having joined with a lot of other organisations we feel positive about this march being a success as we are standing together as unions collectively to march. It is not just a Cosatu march alone.”
Two Sadtu members present at the march, Sheeren Saloojee and Anisha Swalaha, said they believed the march would provide “a platform to talk about how state capture affects us citzens and Sadtu members, As teachers it is things like corruption and state capture that are making our jobs difficult.”
“We are here to say no to state capture, corruption and the Guptas taking over South Africa.”
Pat Horn, who was also among the protesters, said she was there to support the workers struggle against state capture. “As a worker I came to support workers in a strike that isn’t political,” she said.
SAPS and metro police were out in full force and were expecting large numbers on Dr Pixley kaSeme street.
More than 1500 marshalls were employed to monitor and uphold safety. Most roads intersecting with Dr Pixley kaSeme were also blocked off.
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