Bracing for strikes, violence

It says that over 300 special patrol officers have been placed on standby in Johannesburg in case the strike in the "city gets out of hand". Security services in Durban and Cape Town have also warned that they are "preparing for the worst".

Times Live says that union members in 260 municipalities throughout the country will down tools from today, 15 August 2011.

Meanwhile, the Mail & Guardian reports that the demands from striking workers are unaffordable and unrealistic. Union members are demanding an 18% pay hike across the board.

Mail & Guardian quotes union spokesman Tahir Sema as saying that between 80% and 90% of municipalities could afford to pay the rise and that the only ones unable to do so are the rural municipalities and "those plagued by corruption in Limpopo and North West."

Read more:

• Times Live: Strike puts cities on high alert
  
• Mail & Guardian: Municipal workers walk off the job