South Africa Strike Ends: Differing Accounts Emerge

Countrywide pay protests by public servants ended peacefully on Wednesday with sharply conflicting claims on the turnout.

One union said 600 000 workers took part in countrywide marches, while the government put the figure at 70 000.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesperson Patrick Craven said initial reports suggested Wednesday's events had been "excellent".

Solidarity action from municipal workers and taxi drivers indicated the "depth and support" for the public servants, he said.

The Public Service and Administration Department, however, said the mass action had a "minimal impediment" on most service delivery.

"It is estimated that in all centres across the country 70 000 workers participated in the marches," said spokesperson Lewis Rabkin.

However, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said reports showed a significant or general public-service shutdown, "despite government's obvious propaganda to the contrary".

"Our overall assessment is that more than 600 000 workers participated in the marches," the union said.

Marches were disciplined and peaceful with one isolated act of violence reported, Nehawu said.

In Pretoria, Cosatu president Willie Madisha vowed that the "war" against government over public servants' wages would continue.

Ministers should resign and go back to their roots to experience workers' problems, he said.

Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said in Cape Town: "We are not moving back, not one inch. So the government has a choice: Do they see a long, long, winter, or do they want to settle?"

There were 43 marches countrywide in support of the unions' 10% wage hike demand.

The state and unions will meet again in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council on Friday, after talks scheduled for Thursday were postponed.