General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Zwelinzima Vavi on Wednesday encouraged workers to maintain discipline during a nationwide wage protest and prove naysayers predicting violence wrong.

Vavi was speaking to more than 5,000  workers who gathered in Newtown, Johannesburg ahead of the protest against a R20 per hour minimum wage proposed by the government.

Vavi said reports were floating on social media predicting bloodshed and chaos during the march.

"Watch out for provocateurs amongst us ... We can't march, we are far too many to march, we are occupying the city of Johannesburg. But as we do it, we should be disciplined," he said.

He said workers should send a strong message to those he said were selling them out to the National Development and Labour Council.

Saftu has failed to join Nedlac after it reportedly failed to submit audited financial statements, a membership tally and other documents required by law for parties to be considered for membership to the council.

Vavi has previously said there was a political conspiracy to block Saftu from being part of Nedlac.