Cosatu's protest may block freeways

Last week Cosatu vowed it would shut down Gauteng's highways later this month in protest against e-tolling and labour brokers.

This was after the union federation held discussions with both the Gauteng and national governments in an attempt to persuade them to take action and not impose e-tolls.

Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile said these discussions had not yet yielded any positive outcomes.

Two protests have been planned. The first march on 24 May in Johannesburg would affect the M1, N1, N12, and M2. The second would be held in Ekurhuleni on 31 May, affecting the N3, N12, and R21.

"Our intention is to shut down the freeways on these dates and that's what we are prepared to do," Dakile said.

He said that in previous marches on the highways some lanes were left open for cars to pass, but this would not be the case during the forthcoming marches.

"Our intention is to have a total shutdown," Dakile said.

Cosatu has also signalled its intention to stage various protests in June, including a possible night vigil at the SA National Roads Agency Limited's office.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge