South Africa: Protest planned in Johannesburg July 14

Event

A protest by the Greater Local Mining Communities Business Forum is reportedly scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Friday, July 14, to express discontent with the state of the mining industry in the country. About 10,000 people are expected to march from the West Gate Transportation Hub to the Chamber of Mines in the city’s Central Business District.  A second march is set to take place in Sandton by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Gwen Lane.

Traffic disruptions are expected along the march routes.

Context

The mining community has launched a series of strikes in recent weeks to expose the plight of miners living in poverty. On June 28, 2000 demonstrators took to the streets in Sandton during a planned demonstration.

Representatives of the mining community in South Africa are demanding for more jobs as well as for radical transformation within the industry sector, including the dismissal of almost 30 mining bosses such as Anglo American, Lonmin Platinum, Anglo Gold Ashanti, and Glencore.

Advice

Those present in Johannesburg are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning, and adhere to the instructions of local authorities as well as those of their home governments.