STEVEN TAU, CHRISELDA MNDEBELE, HAPPY CHAMBAL

JOHANNESBURG - At least 1 000 government employees marched through the streets of the Johannesburg CBD to Premier Nomvula Mokonyane’s office where they handed over a memorandum containing a list of their demands.

Topping the demands’ list was an 8,6% salary increase, as well as a housing subsidy of R1 000

Angry members of the Public Servants’ Association (PSA) marched through the streets waving placards an example of which read: “We can’t qualify for an RDP house, not even a proper house.....we only qualify for cash loans, just because we are public servants”.

The protesters shouted: “A housing allowance of R620 and a wage offer of 6,5% is not Ayoba”.

The PSA’s Phillip Magudulela told the demonstrators “We honoured government’s request not to embark on a strike during the recent World Cup.

“ Now it is time for workers in this country to get the best treatment in the form of decent wages, and we will not stop until government meets our demands.”

Before handing over the memorandum PSA’s board member Ronnie Maepa warned of a full blown indefinite strike should government fail to address their demands within the next seven days.

Receiving the memorandum on behalf of Mokonyane, head of the planning commission in Gauteng, Ignatius Jacobs said: “We take note of your memorandum and demands and we will make sure it gets to (Public Service) Minister Richard Baloyi.”

Law enforcers were on hand to ensure that order was maintained throughout the march.

But the protest was free of violence and the demonstration went by peacefully.

In Durban public servants braved the wet weather conditions when they marched to the Durban City Hall.

Public servants working in essential services sectors did not take part in any of yesterday’s marches.