Trade Unions stage a one-day nationwide strike

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is staging a one-day nationwide strike on 6 August 2008 to protest rising prices and growing inflation. Large protest marches began at 1000 local time in 18 cities and industrial centers. Demonstrations involving thousands of people have taken place at various city halls, including in Pretoria and Durban. Most public transportation services have been shut down, and long lines have been reported for those bus and taxi services that are running. There are reports that striking workers are setting up roadblocks; however, there have been no significant incidents of violence thus far. The country's mining industry is at a standstill as miners refused to show up for work. The automotive manufacturing industry has also been significantly impacted. The COSATU trade union is comprised of approximately 2 million workers in both private and public sector industries.