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COSATU marches to Parliament against austerity and budget cuts

Published

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is leading the march on Wednesday as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tables the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. Social movements, faith-based organisations and NGOs have joined the demonstration.

Demonstrators say budget decisions announced by the finance minister decide who gets access to essential services and who is left behind. They also say government cost-cutting measures hurt the poor the most. Organisers say budget cuts deepen inequality and put more pressure on vulnerable communities.

Organisers say resistance to austerity is growing around the world, with demonstrations in France and Chile.

Hlalanathi Gagayi, a regional secretary of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU), said he hopes the minister will address high fuel prices. At the march he said: "Our members cannot afford to pay the amount for fuel, because the amount for fuel spills over to food and many other issues that affect our members."

Key facts

Who
Congress of South African Trade Unions (trade union federation leading the demonstration); Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); Hlalanathi Gagayi (SAMWU regional secretary)
What
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is leading a march to Parliament against austerity and budget cuts, with various social movements, faith-based organisations and NGOs joining. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is tabling the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement the same day.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Parliament
Status
Reported

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