Transnet cancels leave for all staff

"Employees will be required to remain grounded at their workstation/ regular place of work," the company said in an internal memorandum released on Thursday.

"The above arrangements are applicable to all employees, including management."

Transnet Freight Rail announced that it had cancelled its luxury Blue Train scheduled to travel from Pretoria to Cape Town on Monday.

The same applied to the return trip on Wednesday, the company said in a statement.

Two worker unions are poised to embark on a pay strike on Monday.

The SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union and the United Transport and Allied Trade Union have said the action will bring the country's transport system to a standstill.

They are demanding a pay rise of 15% across the board. Transnet has offered an increase of 8%.