Thousands of public sector workers have joined one of the biggest strikes in South Africa's history.
Thousands of public sector workers have joined one of South Africa's biggest strikes with many trains not running and few commuters seen in Johannesburg.
Public sector trade unions have warned of a total economic shutdown - most schools and hospitals have already been closed for 13 days over pay demands.
Public sector trade unions have warned of a total economic shutdown - most schools and hospitals have already been closed for 13 days over pay demands.
President Thabo Mbeki has called for an end to intimidation by some strikers.
President Thabo Mbeki has called for an end to intimidation by some strikers.
Negotiations between the unions and the government are in deadlock and hundreds of striking health workers have been sacked by the government.
Negotiations between the unions and the government are in deadlock, complicated by the sacking of 600 health workers.
The unions say their activities are intended to peak on Wednesday and have urged other workers to join them in a one-day "solidarity" strike.
The unions say their activities are intended to peak on Wednesday and have urged other workers to join them in a one-day "solidarity" strike.
"It's going to be a total shutdown... in public services and the economy. It's going be a massive strike involving marches in major cities and pickets outside government buildings," said Willy Madisha, president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) labour federation.
"It's going to be a total shutdown... in public services and the economy. It's going be a massive strike involving marches in major cities and pickets outside government buildings," said Willy Madisha, president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) labour federation.
Cosatu has predicted as many as two million people could stay away from work.
Cosatu has predicted as many as two million people could stay away from work.
The unions, which called the strike 13 days ago, have refused the government's revised offer of a 7.25% pay rise.
The unions have refused the government's revised offer of a 7.25% pay rise.
Workers, who had wanted a 12% increase, say they will not go below 10%.
Workers, who had wanted a 12% increase, say they will not go below 10%.
Health workers sacked
Petrol bombs
More than 600 striking public health workers have been sent letters of dismissal, the public services minister has told the BBC.
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says there are few commuters visible in South Africa's economic capital, suggesting workers have heeded the call to stay away.
"Our recognition of the right to strike... does not cover essential service workers," Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said.
What kind of society we are building... when insults, violence against fellow workers and damage to property become the stock-in-trade during protests? President Thabo Mbeki
Ms Fraser-Moleketi said that under the South African constitution, workers in essential services did not have the right to strike and 638 dismissal letters had been sent out on Monday.
Private schools in Johannesburg have also shut their doors, he says.
The military has been helping out in South African hospitals
Trains services countrywide have been affected, which will mean workers in the private sector will find it difficult to get their offices.
"For those protected workers who have been on strike, we are deducting salaries in line with the 'no work no pay'," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
There have been reports that some workers are being intimidated into striking, and the home of a teacher has been petrol-bombed.
She said the negotiations were continuing and she was hopeful they could bring the public sector pay dispute to an end.
President Mbeki condemned such actions.
"I would say that real negotiations have only taken place since about Friday of last week," she said.
"All of us should ask ourselves, what kind of society we are building and what moral lessons we are imparting when insults, violence against fellow workers and damage to property become the stock-in-trade during protests of this kind?" Mr Mbeki said.
"As is we've already increased our original offer by 44%."
Marches
The unions have said the industrial action will not end until all threats are withdrawn.
Our correspondent says police officers and soldiers are closely monitoring the strike.
Most schools and hospitals have been closed
There is tight security as marches are planned in more than 40 places across the country. In Cape Town, workers intend to march to parliament.
In Johannesburg, the police advised people to avoid the city centre.
"We also advise businesses along the route to try to close from 10am to 4pm," police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said, the South African Press Association reports.
The sacking of more than 600 nurses has further complicated negotiations, our reporter says.
The unions say they will not agree to anything until the nurses are reinstated.
Cosatu is officially a partner in government but it has criticised the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for not doing enough to raise living standards of the poor.
Cosatu is officially a partner in government but it has criticised the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for not doing enough to raise living standards of the poor.
The ANC is due to choose a new leader later in the year to succeed President Thabo Mbeki.
The ANC is due to choose a new leader later in the year to succeed President Mbeki.
On Friday, troops were deployed outside schools and hospitals to help the police stop clashes between strikers and those who wanted to work, as the strike entered its second week.
Are you on strike? Have you been affected by the action? Use the form below to let us know if you want to share your experiences.
Are you on strike? Have you been affected by the action? Use the form below to share your experiences.
