More than 3 000 striking municipal workers made their way to the Braamfontein Civic Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday to hand over a memorandum of grievances to executive mayor Amos Masondo.
There was visible policing by police officers and South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) marshals at the march.
The marchers, holding placards reading ”Ready to die for 8%”, appeared less militant than on previous occasions.
There was no littering by workers who peacefully continued with their march and no serious incidents of violence or confrontation with the police.
Up to 150 Samwu strikers have been arrested so far in the strike in clashes that have included the use of rubber bullets and stun grenades.
The workers are demanding an 8% wage increase and the South African Local Government Association is offering 6%, which it has already implemented unilaterally across the board. — Sapa
Earlier on Thursday, the start of the march through Johannesburg was delayed because the truck for ferrying union leaders and their public address sound equipment had not yet arrived, the union said. — Sapa