ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has poured cold water on Sharpeville residents' protests over Human Rights Day commemoration being moved to Soweto, calling them "opportunists".

Several people were arrested in Sharpeville on Human Rights Day when residents protested against the decision to move the commemoration to Soweto.

Mantashe, pictured, said the Human Rights Day commemoration was not exclusively for the people of Sharpeville.

"People who protested are opportunistic. They are playing to the gallery. It is also important to remind the people of South Africa that the 2009 Human Rights day was held in Kimberley and the 2011 event was held in Athlone. On both occasions there were no protests," he said.

"Human Rights Day was used to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Constitution, hence the decision to hold it in Kliptown. This has to be explained to demystify the notion of this event having being stolen from Sharpeville.

"A clear explanation must be given to the people of Sharpeville that recognising this day as a public holiday in the country means that the role of Sharpeville and her people in our shared history has not diminished but has been enhanced," he said.

Previously known as Sharpeville Day and now recognised as Human Rights Day, March 21 is used to pay respect to 69 people who were killed and scores who were injured when the apartheid police opened fire on protesters who were marching against the dompas.

Mantashe said the people of Sharpeville should not "monopolise" the day and must accept it could not be only about the 69 people who were killed, but others who were equally abused and killed in the past.

Mantashe also announced that a 15-member ANC team would hold a meeting with Cosatu today to discuss the labour federation's demand for the banning of labour brokers and its opposition to the e-toll management system.