Bloemfontein – President Jacob Zuma was greeted with boos and chants of "Zuma must go!" when he arrived at Cosatu's May Day rally in Bloemfontein on Monday.
Scores of Cosatu supporters wearing NUM, Nehawu and Sadtu T-shirts booed Zuma and howled at him, saying he should go.
A strong police contingent kept a close eye on two opposing groups: those wanting Zuma to leave and those wanting him to stay.
Zuma looked on, dejected as the two factions battled it out.
WATCH: Cosatu supporters sing#Zuma must go @ReporterStar @IOLPolitics@ #WorkersDay pic.twitter.com/NPTEmWLKA6
— Luyolo Mkentane (@luyolomkentane) May 1, 2017
WATCH: #Zuma and #AceMagashule arrive at #WorkersDay rally amid chaos @IOL @ReporterStar @IOLPolitics pic.twitter.com/lt5oB2MQNl
— Luyolo Mkentane (@luyolomkentane) May 1, 2017
The president was seated between Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini and SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande.
WATCH: President Jacob #Zuma arrives at #WorkersDay rally in Bloemfontein @ReporterStar @IOLPolitics @IOL pic.twitter.com/FLEnpgVsUX
— Luyolo Mkentane (@luyolomkentane) May 1, 2017
WATCH: Cosatu supporters sing Zuma must go @ReporterStar @IOLPolitics #WorkersDay pic.twitter.com/JpaxVLHHt2
— Luyolo Mkentane (@luyolomkentane) May 1, 2017
Zuma's bodyguards are standing at the ready for any eventuality.