Smooth stay away protest
Empty stalls in front of Power Spar in Empangeni illustrate the impact of the stay away
A deserted Taxi City in Richards Bay on Wednesday as taxi associations heeded trade union Cosatu's call for a provincial stay away
Ronelle Ramsamy, Tanya Waterworth and Dalena van Jaarsveld
DESPITE fear of possible rioting and incitement of violence, it was a fairly quiet and peaceful stay away by members of trade union Cosatu throughout Zululand on Wednesday.
Economic and public activity in the province was significantly disrupted in many major centres following Cosatu's announcement of a one-day provincial stay away in protest against rising fuel costs, interest rates, electricity costs and food costs.
The majority of public servants, industrial workers, domestic and municipal workers heeded Cosatu's stay away call as public transport came to a virtual halt
Ikhwezi Transport General Manager, Fanie Joubert, told the Zululand Observer that 250 buses were not operating, while taxi ranks and various bus shelters remained desolate.
Full force
Director Marie Wilson at the eSikhawini SAPS confirmed that police were out in full force from 5.30am.
'There is not a bus or taxi in sight. Privately owned buses came into eSikhawini but went out with no passengers. Every member of the SAPS is out on patrol on the streets and shops. There have only been queues of people waiting for transport to join the main march in Durban.'
Despite rumours of violence and possible aggression in the Richards Bay CBD and on the John Ross Highway, Captain Debbie Ferreira said police remained on high alert conducting foot patrols with no confirmed reports of hostility.
Services
City of uMhlathuze Municipal Manager, Dr Tonie Heyneke said the impact of the strike on municipal services was severe with an almost total stay away.
'We have very few staff at work today. We were not able to do refuse collection, but trade union members have indicated that they will do the refuse removal scheduled for Wednesday on Saturday. We urge residents who were supposed to have their refuse collected on Wednesday to wait until Saturday. We are providing other services, but otherwise it is very quiet here.
In Empangeni the usual busy main routes were empty of vehicle and people traffic, resembling a quiet Sunday morning.
Many shops closed their doors for the day and no street vendors were to be seen.
A few lone commuters who were on their way to join the march in Durban sat waiting, hoping to catch some form of transport.
'We support the strike, because maybe if we strike today it will make a difference in the rising food and petrol prices,' said Sli Mkhize and Nozizwe Myeni, who were both waiting for transport to Durban to join the COSATU march.
Impact
Meanwhile, the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) said while it shared Cosatu's concern over the severe price increases and its impact on the poor, it did not believe strike action would offer a solution.
'The resultant injury from such action can only be to the union members themselves (no work, no pay) and by its disrupting of business activity countrywide, will damage the economy.
'Such action will clearly have an impact on investor perceptions. It has come to the ZCCI's attention that Cosatu is considering opening dialogue with business over price increase concerns. The Chamber would support and encourage such engagement towards finding a co-operative solution,' added ZCCI President Phiwo Thango.
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