Pretoria – Cabinet has expressed concern over what it referred to as “a spate of violent and unprotected strikes” in the country.
“The insults during the recent South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) directed at Basic Education Minister (Angie Motshekga) and display of women’s underwear whilst protesting reflects total disregard for women and is unwarranted,” Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Thursday.
He was speaking to reporters on the outcomes of this week’s Cabinet meeting.
“South Africans fought long and hard for our democracy, and we should therefore disassociate ourselves from socially reprehensible conduct which is tantamount to anarchy,” Chabane said.
SADTU members marched in Pretoria last week, calling for the resignations of Motshekga and her director general Bobby Soobrayan.
During their protest, some marchers were seen carrying placards throwing insults at Motshekga while others held up a pair of women's panties bearing the minister’s name during a protest outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
“South Africa will soon be entering the period of salary negotiations and Cabinet wish to call on all communities, workers and labour unions to desist from any actions that undermine our democracy,” read the Cabinet statement.
“Cabinet reiterates its call on workers to use existing, regulated channels to address grievances and wage negotiations in the spirit of our hard-fought democracy.” – SAnews.gov.za
