Anti-corruption marches hit a snag

The anti-corruption protest could be postponed after Nedlac granted permission to strike later than the planned date.

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Johannesburg - The much publicised anti-corruption protests could be postponed after the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) granted organisers permission to strike later than the planned date.

According to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), a meeting held with the council on Friday concluded that the September 30th action organised by the Unite Against Corruption Coalition could only be embarked on 14 days after the original application was made.

Numsa requested the strike certificate on behalf of the group on September 15.

The union said it would consult its allies and partners within the coalition to determine whether legal action should be taken against Nedlac, while also considering the possibility of a postponement. However it also seems that as an entity, Numsa has already decided on the way forward.

“As Numsa we strongly feel that we should consider taking a legal route, in order for the marches to go ahead as planned. Already the planned action has received massive support from a wide range of organisations and eminent South Africa who are concerned about the scourge of corruption both in the private and public sector,” union spokesman Castro Ngobese said in a statement.

The union further suggested that Nedlac had been influenced by some of the council’s members and the government.

“We are convinced that Nedlac has been captured by forces within and outside government opposed to the march, by using technicalities to undermine and sabotage it,” said Ngobese.

The coalition plans to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Parliament in Cape Town.

Labour Bureau