Thousands of schoolchildren were sent home while businesses, including big retail and clothing stores, remained shut as Cosatu members and partners and affiliates embarked from in and around Mthatha embarked on a march as part of the union’s nationwide strike on Wednesday.​
Even hawkers were seen dismantling their stands on some streets in Mthatha.
One of them Thabiso Sethobane, a married father of two who operates a stand in Madeira Street, told the Dispatch that they did not want to take any chances in case the marchers vandalised their stands.
"I am losing a lot of money by not selling today," he said.
Sadtu branch secretary in Mqanduli meanwhile confirmed that they had sent communication to many schools in the area informing them about the strike. “We informed them that our members would report for duty but would have to be released by 10am to take part in the march," he said.
South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union second deputy president Mike Tau, who is also a central executive committee member of the SACP, meanwhile said the march was against job losses in both government and the private sector...