Samwu members defy leaders as march turns violent

06 May 2015 - 16:14 By Aphiwe Deklerk

Traffic was brought to a standstill in Cape Town’s city centre on Wednesday as a municipal workers march turned violent. SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members were marching to the city's Civic Centre to handover a memorandum to municipal leadership.But workers defied their leaders’ instruction to slowly follow behind a white van Samwu officials were driving.Instead they broke away and ran down to the Civic Centre.On the way‚ they spilled rubbish and vandalised a construction site.Carrying sticks‚ they overpowered police who tried to re-route them.Stunned drivers were brought to a standstill in logjammed traffic.Shopowners on parts on Wale Street had to temporarily close their doors while hawkers stood up to protect their stands.Samwu is protesting against unfair discrimination against black employees‚ as well as the withdrawal of financial benefits‚ including maternity leave‚ for female firefighters. - RDM News Wire, The Times..

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