Public servants throng to city centres

Johannesburg - Public servants started marching through the streets of Johannesburg on Thursday to demand better wages.

"We are ready for action. We are not going to budge," said protester Mokati Masooane, a cashier in the transport ministry.

Public Servants' Association (PSA) members dressed in black T-shirts danced and sang "amandla, awethu", as they walked peacefully down Bree Street in the central business district.

Some carried placards stating "Bafun' imali abasebenzi" (Workers want money) and "If you want to pay peanuts, employ monkeys".

PSA provincial secretary Monica Venter addressed the crowd from the top of a truck, thanking members for their support.

The association's negotiator Reuben Maleka was confident Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi would make a new wage offer.

"When the minister (Baloyi) meets us at 5pm, he will see our numbers and increase our salaries."

Police officers said the march had proceeded without incident.

Marches and picketing were expected to take place countrywide, while Baloyi was scheduled to hold another round of talks with union leaders.

In Durban public servants had gathered by 11am at Botha Park to march to the city hall, where a memorandum of demands would be handed over to a representative in the premier's office.

Public servants wanted an 8.6% salary increase and a housing subsidy of R1 000, backdated to April 1. The government was offering a 6.5% salary increase and a R620 housing subsidy with effect from July 1.

Public servants working in essential services sectors were not taking part in the mass action.

Trade unions who are part of the PSA include the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA, Police and Prison Civil Rights Union and the SA Medical Association.

  - Sapa