Ramaphosa set to speak as unionists break up protest
Hundreds of Nehawu union members have dispersed peacefully in time for the parliamentary sitting to begin on time at 2pm on Thursday afternoon. The strikers dispersed at about five minutes to two and the situation is now calm.They are holding a meeting to decide the nature of their future actions.Yesterday‚ the Cape High Court granted and interdict to parliament‚ declaring both the strike and the protest action within the precinct illegal.But this morning that interdict was ignored and hundreds of red-clad Nehawu supporters gathered to sing hymns and struggle protest songs.Some were carrying placards stating "Mgidlana must fall" - a reference to the secretary to parliament Gengezi Mgidlana‚ whose perceived haughty style has brought him into conflict with the staff he is supposed to manage.Salary issues and the security vetting of parliamentary employees are two of the issues the Nehawu members are unhappy about.The atmosphere this morning was expectant and tense as union members waited to see whether police would again react violently to their illegal protest action.Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address issues around the visa regulations and Marikana in the National Assembly later Thursday. - TMG Parliamentary Bureau..
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