#NationalShutdown: City of Cape Town on high alert ‘for any possible disruptions’

Cape Town – The City of Cape Town remains on high alert for any possible disruption, with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expected to hold their separate demonstrations as part of the national shutdown.

Trade unions called for workers to down tools and join the national shutdown to rally against high food prices, fuel hikes, load shedding, unemployment, and other issues affecting the working class.

IOL reported that the City has appealed to the organisers of the trade unions to maintain order during their demonstration.

The report said that law enforcement services have been deployed to support the police and ensure public order.

According to the City’s Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith, law enforcement will be out in full force to monitor both demonstrations, the report said.

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“The SAPS is the lead agency on matters relating to public order policing, but the City’s enforcement services will deploy in support of SAPS, and manage road closures and traffic impacts as the procession moves through the CBD,

“Our enforcement services will also be on alert for any other possible disruptions in other parts of the city,” the report quoted Smith as saying.

He added that some of the issues the shutdown aimed to raise were legitimate, however, creating blockages did not contribute to addressing the problems, the report said.

National Employers Association of SA confirmed that the nationwide strike was legal, saying, however, that it could take its toll on workers’ salaries, reported TimesLIVE.

‘Employers may not discipline any employee who is absent on the day as a result of participating in the protest action, but the no work, no pay rule will be applicable,” the report quoted the National Employers Association of SA.