Strikes spread to car manufacturers

CAPE TOWN – A wave of illegal strikes sweeping through South Africa’s mines has spread to the manufacturing sector, with Japanese car giant Toyota saying yestersday all production at its Durban plant had halted this week after a staff walkout over pay.

The stoppage is the latest to hit SA’s economy and piles more pressure on the leadership of President Jacob Zuma ahead of the African National Congress elections in December.

The Toyota plant in Durban produces 120 000 vehicles a year, half of which are destined for overseas markets.

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