COSATU Mpumalanga media statement 16-07-08

 

COSATU MPUMALANGA MEDIA STATEMENT, 16 JULY 2008

The economy of Mpumalanga ground to a complete halt as thousands of COSATU members supported by SANCO, SACP, YCL, ANCYL and organizations of Civil Society took to the streets in support of the COSATU’s call for protected protest action against the electricity crisis.

Figures collected indicates that the mining sector was the hardest hit with a 100 % stay away in the following operations: Delmas coal, Khutala coal , Matla coal, Douglas colliery, Arnot colliery, Middelburg mine etc .

Most retail shops closed operations as marchers took over and painted the towns red. Manufacturing and engineering operated on skeleton staff but those close to towns closed completely. Transport ground to a complete halt as bus companies refused to release buses and taxi associations joined the strike in support of the COSATU demands, which covered the increases in the prices of petrol. Vendors and hawkers could not help but join the protest actions which they believe will help respond to the challenge of high food prices .

In Witbank, in the main march led by the COSATU President, more than 18 000 workers braved the freezing weather and jammed the streets, traffic officers left their duties and joined the march in plain clothes. More police were added as the numbers that attended far surpassed the estimated numbers by the organizers. It took the leadership more than two hours negotiating with ESKOM to allow marchers inside the premises as management was afraid that such large numbers would be difficult to control and contain.

Today’s marches are a culmination of the protracted protest actions embarked upon by COSATU members since April 2008 to put the electricity crisis in the public discourse. COSATU members have demonstrated and picketed in the malls, shopping complexes, retail shops etc. It is COSATU’s belief that the cost of the power cuts must not be borne by the poorest in society, and that workers should not be retrenched as a result of the power cuts and that the electrification programme to poor households should not be compromised.

COSATU further believes that if government had invested in electricity in the late 1990s when it was warned to do so, the country would not be experiencing this crisis. COSATU will oppose any job losses that may result from the electricity crisis either directly or indirectly .

Estimated numbers to the different marches in the province are as follows: Witbank 18000 people , Nkomazi 15 000. people , Nelspruit 15000 people, KwaMhlanga 10 000 people, Secunda 12000 people, Ermelo 7000 people and Bushbuckridge 5000 people.

These actions are but a warm up to the National strike planned for 6 August 2008. We are delighted by the support we received, which is beyond the traditional support base of COSATU. To us this is an indication that COSATU is campaigning on issues that affects the poor and majority of this country.

For more information please contact COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, Norman Mokoena at 0828036712