Durban - The High Court in Durban has granted the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (Numsa) permission to march in Durban on Friday as it celebrates Workers Day.
The union on Wednesday filed urgent court papers after the Ethekwini Municipality withdrew their permit to march. Numsa and former Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi who is also billed to address the march, blamed the municipality's turnaround on political interference by labour federation, Cosatu.
The federation has denied the allegation.
The municipality had told Numsa they feared their march would disintegrate into violence.
At a press briefing held earlier on Thursday, Numsa equated the refusal to grant their march to denying workers their rights on a day specifically set-aside to celebrate them.
Cosatu also announced recently that its members will march through the city’s streets before converging at the Curries Fountain Stadium where they will be addressed by President Jacob Zuma, along with other speakers.
Labour Bureau