Durban — Thousands of protesters gathered in Durban on Wednesday for their march which started at the King Dinuzulu Park around 10.20am in response to load shedding, the rising cost of living and other economic challenges.
Last week, the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) announced a nationwide protest and the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said it would also be participating in the protest action.
Protesters are now slowly moving to the City hall pic.twitter.com/gelhcFTAPX
— MaZondi (@NkulieZondi) August 24, 2022
Among trade unions which have gathered is the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, South African Democratic Teachers' Union, Public Servants Association of South Africa and others. More people are still coming to join the protest, and others are being dropped off by buses.
The protest started moving slowly with protesters singing.
Provincial chairman of the South African Communist Party and former mayor of eThekwini, James Nxumalo said with this national shutdown they are putting pressure on the government so that the price of petrol, diesel and paraffin could decrease.
“People are now working for transport, buying petrol. How are they going to pay for their children’s education? We are hoping that by this march the price of petrol, paraffin and diesel will decrease because people cannot live without these things. It is sad because this affects less privileged people more,” he said.
Approx 3000 or more people from different trade unions in KZN are marching to the Durban City hall, for national shutdown. Trade unions say that they are putting pressure on the government to tackle the current socio-economic challenges nation. @DailyNewsSA . #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/XLcUGbmQbF
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