Umamah Bakharia

Unions across the country downed tools today in support of a national shutdown today.

Members of South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) gathered in the City of Tshwane at Burgers Park this morning to march to the Union buildings in an attempt to get governments attention to cushion the blow of the cost of living.

However, conflict arose between Saftu and Cosatu leaders who negotiated on whether to have the strike jointly.

Many members who refrained to be identified, told Radio Islam that they were not for the joint movement.

Yet leadership of the unions came together in sync and stood tall on the back of a truck as various union leaders took turns reiterating the call for government to look into the increased fuel prices, load shedding, gender based violence and unemployment within the youth.

The unions handed over a memorandum to the government representative, Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele.

[RECAP] Highlights of the #NationalShutdown in Gauteng pic.twitter.com/ZuH7sRw5DO

— Radio Islam (@radioislam) August 24, 2022