By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) members staged the intense protests in Johannesburg on October 26–27, 2026, bringing parts of the city and the M1 and M2 highways to a standstill over a long-standing wage dispute.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, union members blockaded the M1 freeway at Smit Street in Braamfontein and parts of the M2 highway, causing severe traffic gridlock.
SAMWU is demanding that the City of Johannesburg fulfill a 2016 agreement addressing historic pay scale disparities and underpayment.
The union states that out of an accumulated R10.3 billion owed, only R1.2 billion has been paid, leaving an outstanding amount (including a contested R5.4 billion or R5.2 billion tranche).
SAMWU regional secretary Thobani Nkosi says workers won’t be intimidated until the municipality settles the R5.4 billion benefits agreed upon.
Nkosi says negotiated payment is meant to address historic pay scale disparities and underpayment.
The agreement is set to feature collective increases for municipal workers of between R1.2 billion and R2 billion by March 2026, between R5 billion and R6 billion by July 2026, and a further R4.1 billion by July 2027.
In April, minister of finance Enoch Godongwana directed the city to halt the implementation of the illegally signed agreement which has the potential to destroy the municipality’s sustainability beyond the current term of office, which ends in November, and the negative impact it could have on the national economy at large.
Godongwana raised concerns about how the city would fund the salary increases given that it is in financial distress and demanded an explanation on how the direct transgression of the MFMA and budget and reporting regulations would be arrested or reversed.
Meanwhile Cosatu says it will support both African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) at the Local Government Elections (LGE), in line with a resolution adopted at its 15th National Congress.
However, the support come with clear expectations, including job creation, reliable public services, accountable municipalities, affordable basic services and the protection of workers’ rights.
Cosatu’s general secretary Zingiswa Losi says the federation is intensifying its election campaign and mobilisation efforts ahead of next week’s elections.
“Cosatu is intensifying its election campaign and mobilisation in preparation for the 4th of November 2026 local government elections,” Losi said.
She said the campaign aims to ensure that workers have a meaningful voice in shaping local government and the country’s broader development path.
The federation is calling on its affiliates, shop stewards, organisers and members to mobilise workers and communities around a programme that prioritises employment creation, infrastructure development and improved access to basic services.
Fullview also learnt the Federation also attempting to bring National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) back after its 2014 expulsion.
NUMSA is currently facing an uphill battle to regain worker confidence amid leadership turmoil.
The NUMSA Central Committee has stripped general secretary Irvin Jim, president Andrew Chirwa and other national office bearers of their powers ahead of the union’s 30 November congress, accusing them of neglecting their duties by cancelling meetings and failing to attend others.
An internal statement circulated after the meeting said the Central Committee had established a Task Coordinating Team, which has been empowered to convene a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to consider the conduct of Jim and Chirwa.
The statement accused the national office-bearers of repeatedly disrupting meetings when proceedings did not go their way.
It cited three instances: the collapse of the extended NEC meeting in December 2024, the August 2026 Central Committee meeting and the adjourned meeting scheduled for October 23 to 25.
The meeting also criticised Jim and Chirwa for disrespecting the Central Committee and refusing to summarise its resolutions. It further referred to an incident at a special Central Committee meeting in April 2026, where Jim allegedly walked out and threatened to physically harm regional leaders.