The South African Police Service (SAPS) has stated that its National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) will not tolerate lawlessness, roadblocks, or other disruptions on Monday, when hundreds of supporters are expected to participate in the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) National Day of Action protest.
“The structure which is responsible for the policing of major events and large gatherings has mobilised all its resources working closely with all law enforcement agencies including traffic officials to ensure the safety of workers who will be taking part in this strike,” said Natjoints chairperson, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili.
She also advised protesters to demonstrate peacefully and in accordance with the law.
Cosatu has called on workers to turn out in large numbers to participate in their National Day of Action against what they describe the “crippling economic crisis in the country, characterised by joblessness, poverty, and inequality”.
The South African Commercial, Catering, and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) will join in the demonstration. The union stated that the cause for the protest is particularly relevant to the retail, hospitality, and food processing industries.
“In these sectors we see various employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage. The sector is well known for its heightened job insecurity, casualisation, retrenchments, perpetual loss of jobs through restructuring, trade union bashing, and many more,” the union said.