News24 reports that Acting Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Minister Thulas Nxesi received a hostile reception when he went out to meet protesting public sector workers who had marched to the National Treasury's offices in Pretoria.

Cosatu, Saftu and Fedusa held their third national protest on Tuesday against the government's 3% baseline wage offer for public servants. They called for a 10% increase or, at the very least, a resumption of negotiations. But, as Nxesi stood alongside the unions' leaders on a temporary stage, the protesting workers booed him and hurled abuse at him. A protester threw what appeared to be a can at the minister, but he swerved and managed to avoid getting hit. Nxesi was unable to address the workers on their ultimatum and was bundled into a police van when the crowd became rowdy. SA Communist Party and Green Peace members joined unions, namely Hospersa, Nehawu, Denosa, Sapu, Nupsaw and the PSA, on the Gauteng leg of the protest. Nhlanhla Sibisi, a Green Peace spokesperson, said the organisation supported the unions and indicated: "As part of the campaign for sustainable energy, we stand with unions because we believe in sustainable jobs, and we believe no person should be left behind. There are jobs in the green energy sector."

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24
• Read too, Nxesi whisked away by protectors as striking civil servants get hostile, at EWN

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