Nationwide Strike on March 7, 2012

Security Message for U.S. Citizens

March 2, 2012

This message is to alert U.S. citizens in South Africa to the potential disruption of services resulting from a nationwide strike scheduled for Wednesday, March 7. Public schools, hospitals and the transport system will all be included in the scope of the strike. There is also a potential for wide-spread demonstrations throughout the country. U.S. citizens should remain alert to reports of demonstrations interfering with traffic and are advised to plan accordingly, remain alert, and monitor local news broadcasts for updates on the strike. U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas of planned demonstrations and to not cross picket lines.

In the Pretoria area, the demonstration locations and routes have not yet been finalized, but U.S. citizens should take special care in areas where such demonstrations have commonly been held in the past, such as within the vicinity of the Union Buildings.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has planned a march in Johannesburg scheduled to run between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 7th. The march will begin and end at Beyers Naude square, but will include stops at the Department of Labor, the office of the Premier of Gauteng, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA) offices, and the offices of the MEC for Finance.

In Cape Town there is a march planned for March 7th that is scheduled to occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the city center. The march will begin at the Keizergracht Mosque and proceed to Darling Street, then to Buitekant and Strand streets, and then to Adderly, Spin, and Plein streets, and conclude at the Parliament building. Retail business in the area may be affected. Major traffic disruptions are anticipated.

In Durban there is a march anticipated to begin at Botha Garden, continuing on Dr. Pixley Kaseme Street (formerly West Street and the street on which the U.S. Consulate is located) to City Hall. Retail business in the area may be affected. Major traffic disruptions are anticipated.

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the website of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips. If you don't have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

If you are going to live in or travel to South Africa, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

U.S. Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
(Note: this location does not provide consular services)
877 Pretorius Street
Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012-431-4000 (outside South Africa: +27-12-431-4000)
After-hours emergencies: 012-431-4000
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov

U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg
(Covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces)
1 Sandton Drive (cnr. of Rivonia)
Sandhurst, Johannesburg
Tel: 011-290-3000 (outside South Africa: +27-11-290-3000)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-1684)

U.S. Consulate General, Cape Town
(Covering Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces)
2 Reddam Avenue
Westlake, Cape Town
Tel: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27 702-7300
After-hours emergencies: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27-21-702-7300)

U.S. Consulate General, Durban
(Covering KwaZulu-Natal Province)
Old Mutual Building, 31st floor
303 Dr. Pixley Kaseme Street
Durban
Tel: 031-305-7600 (+27-31-305-7600)
After hours emergencies: 079-111-1445 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-1445)