MEC says he missed Cosatu memorandum as picketers were too early for their appointment

Cape Town - Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen has said the reason he did not appear on the steps of the provincial legislature building to receive a memorandum from Cosatu Western Cape on Thursday, was that the protesters arrived too early. The protesters arrived in Wale Street at 11.10am. While waiting for the MEC, the marchers listened to brief speeches by, among others, Tsubane and SACP Youth League leader Lucian Davids. When Allen failed to show up, De Bruyn said: “You have wasted our time, but we’ll be back in bigger numbers next time. We are not going to beg the province to accept our memorandum.” He said it was clear from the fact that nobody came to receive the memorandum “that the provincial government has no respect for workers”. Allen eventually arrived outside the building at 11.55am after the marchers had made an about-turn and were headed to Parliament in Plein Street. Allen said: “It is unfortunate that the small group who chose to form part of the Cosatu march today, departed from the provincial legislature before the scheduled time at midday, when they were due to hand the memorandum over to me. “I urge Cosatu to send their memorandum to our office, as at this stage we have not received a copy of their requests. dxAt Parliament, the marchers handed over their memorandum to parliamentary procedural officer Gcina Matakane, who received it on behalf of the Speaker. The march was part of the federation’s national day of action to demand, among others, prevention of crime and corruption, an interest rate reduction, and a halt to privatisation, which they say leads to job losses.