Thousands of public workers in South Africa downed tools in a nationwide strike over wages after talks with the government hit a deadlock threatening to affect essential services.
The wage stalemate between the government and its employees escalated after Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi last week declared he would unilaterally implement a three per cent increase across the board.
Unions want a 6.5 percent hike.
Union members including nurses, immigration workers, and some police officers picketed outside the Treasury office in Pretoria waving black placards reading public servants are bleeding.
The PSA had warned that the strike would have a serious impact on the home affairs, transport, and border control departments.