Bitting cold has cooled the ardour of workers called out to take part in the nationwide municipal strike.
The strike failed to attract a big turnout on its first day and only minor incidents of refuse spilling were reported.
The SA Municipal Workers' Union, which expected more than 200000 workers to down tools, struggled to muster protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The SABC reports that in Gauteng 85% of Samwu members boycotted the strike.
Workers told the broadcaster that they did not take part because of corruption in Samwu's "dysfunctional" provincial leadership.
But in Cape Town about 5000 workers marched from Heerengracht Street to the city's civic centre.
Tempers flared when union members were told that Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille refused to accept their memorandum. A car window was smashed, and refuse bins were toppled and their contents strewn in the streets or set alight. Plastic rubbish bins and road signs were torn down.
The Western Cape secretary of the union, Andre Adams, said about 12000 municipal employees went on strike across the province.
At the Cape Town march, one Samwu shop steward said that often he and his fellow workers could not afford a loaf of bread.
"How's that when your white boss left school in standard six? He does absolutely nothing.
"The city's logo is 'This city works for you' - it should be 'This city works for a few'," he said.
An inebriated worker hurled insults like "Jy, jou ma se p**s" at public order police, called in to guard the civic centre entrance.
Deputy mayor Ian Neilson, escorted by police in an armoured police vehicle, accepted the memorandum on De Lille's behalf. Seconds after he had been bundled into the vehicle, the angry mob threw sticks at him.
The council reported intimidation of workers who did not join the strike and blamed intimidation for the closure of municipal premises, including clinics and a fire station.
In Durban, fewer than 100 union members protested at Pinetown's civic centre. The rest of the 11800 strikers in the eThekwini metro stayed at home. Several municipal services in eThekwini came to a standstill as the strike began.
The union is demanding a pay rise of 18% in the 2011-2012 financial year. The councils are offering 6%.
In Gauteng, no serious public disorder was reported.
Johannesburg metro police spokesman Superintendent Edna Mamonyane said no protests took place in the city.
Ekurhuleni's Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago said about 50 workers marched peacefully to the Alberton Civic Theatre but were dispersed by the rain after two hours.
Tshwane metro spokesman Pieter de Necker said 3000 workers, or 17% of the workforce, did not report for duty yesterday.
De Necker said refuse removal had the highest number of absentees. "A few" water and electricity department workers did not turn up for work.
Regional marches are expected in the provinces from tomorrow. Provincial pickets are expected across the country on Friday. - Additional reporting by Sapa
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