Supporters of Cosatu, South Africa's biggest trade union federation, were gathering at Curries Fountain in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning before a planned march to the Mariannhill Toll Plaza on the N3 to protest against the rising cost of fuel and an increase in VAT, IOL reported. 

According to that publication, there was low police presence by 09:00.

Police were expected to escort the supporters to Mariannhill. 

East Coast Radio reported that Durban metro police spokesperson Parbhoo Sewpersadh had said officers would be out in full force.

Motorists on the N3 took to Twitter to report long traffic backups on the N3.   

Cosatu said in a statement on Thursday that the national campaign had received wide support from the public and social movements.

The union federation said problems facing South Africans were "man-made through the exploitation of men by men".

"The most daunting facts about the current increase in fuel and VAT are that‚ when it comes to expenses and the cost of living‚ the poor and the rich are expected to pay the same‚ while the share in the economy of the country remains unequal.

"Employers profusely refused to consider the cost of living in offering salary increases‚ including public sector workers who are government employees.

"Companies hardly resolved anything beyond 7%‚ with many workers still not paid bonuses or 13th cheques by their employers; mostly in the private sector‚" the statement read.

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