Saftu to join EFF's national shutdown
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has confirmed that it will join EFF's planned shutdown on 20 March.
The EFF has vowed to bring the country to a standstill when it takes to the streets to demand an end to the electricity crisis and the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The federation's general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday they have decided to join the protest as the request came from a leftist organisation.
"This means that we will mobilise our own members to join the protest across the country, however, our participation has conditions which have been discussed with the EFF. This includes that the shutdown is not sectarian, where all other formations will be called to join a programme of one political party."
READ: Malema calls for national shutdown to end load shedding, demand Ramaphosa resignation
"Saftu is not willing to just join a political party programme, we can't do that we are an independent federation. We can only join a broad front of left formations working together to achieve a common goal of an effective national shutdown."
Vavi, who briefed the media in Johannesburg on the federation's national executive committee meeting, said workers who wish to join the shutdown will be protected.
"We have submitted a Section 77 notice this morning to Nedlac to protect all workers, in and outside the federation. This means any worker, even if they are not a member of any union, will be protected from victimisation by the employers when they participate in that national shutdown."
