No Privatization in South Africa: Says COSATU During One Day World Stoppage

7 October 2016, 1:03pm
Zintle Mahlati

Johannesburg - Cosatu members say they won't allow Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba to privatise municipal services such as Pikitup.

Mashaba’s office was the first target in the city in Cosatu’s nationwide march for decent work on Friday.

The federation's leadership led thousands of its members to the mayor's office where they warned Mashaba that they were prepared to fight calls to privatise the waste management company.

Mashaba, who was surrounded by heavily armed police officials, came out to sign a memorandum, which also demanded the expansion of the bus rapid transport system to townships around the city.

Members from various unions, dressed in their union colours, sang struggle songs insulting former Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi.

Most carried placards reading "end poverty and inequality" and "we demand decent jobs" as they marched through the Joburg CBD.

The workers also made their they way to the Gauteng transport department to demand that e-tolls be scrapped.

Their next stop was the Chamber of Mines

Cosatu said earlier this week it expected 200 000 people to participate in the mass action.

 @ZintleMahlati