Johannesburg commuters were left stranded as the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) prepared for a one-day stayaway against rising food and electricity prices in four provinces on Wednesday.
Provincial secretary Siphiwe Mgcina said most taxi, bus and train operators would join in a march in Johannesburg that would see road closures in the city centre from 11am until 3pm.
”But we have made arrangements for those coming to the march. They will be bussed in,” said Mgcina.
Soweto commuter George Myeza said he left home later than usual because he knew it would not be easy to commute to his workplace in Victory Park, Johannesburg.
”There were only a few taxis but the real problem is the trains not running,” Myeza said.
Also, according to Mgcina, ”99% of bus drivers will join in the strike”.
Metro police were expecting at least 10 000 protesters to take part in the march. Members of the Gauteng African National Congress would also participate.
Cosatu, which held protests in the Free State, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga last week, is planning more mass action in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West on Wednesday — leading up to a national stayaway on August 6. — Sapa