UPDATE ON EVENTS WHICH WILL IMPACT ON BUSINESS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST
The CEO attended a planning meeting at which the arrangements for the ANC show of support for its President, Jacob Zuma, were discussed. Mr Zuma will appear in court in Pietermaritzburg on the 4th and 5th of August (Monday and Tuesday). The culmination of the COSATU rolling mass action against food and electricity prices will be a nation-wide strike on Wednesday 6th August. This strike will be protected. Unfortunately, some information critical to Business is still not available. What is known:
About 5 000 supporters of Jacob Zuma will conduct night vigils from about 6 pm outside the court on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th August.
Freedom Square will be the gathering point.
Many of these supporters will remain in the area during the days of the trial. This number is likely to be augmented by others who will be attracted by the speakers and the gathering.
Among the crowd will be high profile ANC leaders.
At this point, there is no discussion between the leaderships of the ANC and COSATU to link the activities of the 4/5th with those of the 6th. They should be regarded as separate activities.
A number of roads will be closed overnight and during the days (night of 3 August - 5 August).
What is not yet clear:
Whether there will be any disruption to taxi services on any of the three days. As far as the 4th/5th are concerned, the taxi representative at the meeting said that they would be operating, but this was in contradiction to what the SAPS and the ANC have been told. The PCB will seek to clarify this as soon as possible. A decision as to whether the taxis will operate on Wednesday 6th has not yet been taken.
Whether there will be any demonstration/march to accompany the COSATU strike on Wendesday 6th.
Exactly which roads are to be closed and when.
More information might be available after meetings to be held in the afternoon of 23rd July and the PCB will be represented at a further meeting on Friday 25th when some issues might be clarified.
VISIT THE PCB SITE REGULARLY TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE POSTED AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
DTI'S ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
Members of the PCB are invited to attend the DTI's Annual Small Business Summit which will be held this year at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday 31 July - Saturday 2 August.
REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL AND PLACES ARE LIMITED - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. For further information and a registration form
