COSATU marches in Cape Town to protest high tariffs and 'anti-poor' budget

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) handed over a memorandum to the City of Cape Town today, primarily protesting the recent increase in municipal tariffs for ratepayers.

The action was part of a broader march through the Cape Town CBD to mark the International Day for Decent Work. Hundreds of COSATU supporters participated in the demonstration, calling for fair wages, job security, and the protection of workers' rights as part of a nationwide campaign.

READ: PSC Joins COSATU march, links Palestinian and South African workers' struggles

The memorandum specifically challenges the City's fixed charges for water and sanitation, as well as its cleaning levy, all of which were implemented on 1 July.

COSATU Provincial Secretary Melvyn De Bruyn stated that the issues raised in the memorandum are directly linked to the struggles of the working class.

"That memorandum will cover the issue of the high electricity tariffs, high water tariffs and the anti-poor budget that was passed by [the] majority of the DA," De Bruyn said.

City spokesperson Jean-Marie Pressly confirmed receipt of the document and indicated that the City would provide a response shortly.

"We received the memorandum and will be responding in due course," Pressly commented.

Memorandums addressing the issue of unemployment were also handed to the provincial and national governments.