Marchers and union officials at the Cosatu Western Cape protest in Cape Town were disappointed on Thursday when they were denied the opportunity to hand over their memorandum of grievances to Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen.
Also read: Nationwide Cosatu strike against poor governance planned for this week
Allen was expected to receive the memorandum at the picket but failed to appear even after protestors gave him an extra ten minutes to do so.
He eventually arrived at the building shortly before noon, once the marchers had started to Parliament in Plein Street.
However, in a statement issued after the protestors’ departure, Allen said the marchers left before their previously agreed time of noon, having arrived at 11:10am.
Need a reliable car, but tight on a budget? Have a look at these offers for under R100 000. View the deals here.
‘It is unfortunate that the small group who chose to form part of the Cosatu march today, departed from the Provincial Legislature before the scheduled time at midday when they were due to hand the memorandum over to me,’ he said.
‘I urge Cosatu to send their memorandum to our office, as at this stage we have not received a copy of their requests.’
‘As a provincial government, we are open to engaging all entities, should they have the best interest of the people at heart.’
Speaking to IOL outside Wale House after Allen’s non-appearance, Cosatu provincial secretary Malvern de Bruyn said Allen had wasted their time but they would be returning in numbers. ‘We are not going to beg the Province to accept our memorandum,’ he said, adding that the provincial government’s failure to accept the memorandum was a sign of disrespect.
The march was part of the federation’s national day of action to also call for the prevention of crime and corruption, an interest rate reduction and a halt to privatisation, which they say leads to job losses.
Protestors then arrived at Parliament to call for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (Zondo Commission) and were met by an official from the Speaker’s office who accepted the memorandum.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Experience luxury along the Garden Route with this two-night Knysna getaway. Get it here.
Also read:
Update: Cosatu members marching to legislature amid national shutdown
Picture: @_cosatu / Twitter