Lives of black people at farms cheap

By Tarryn Le Chat
14 September 2006

Organisations championing the rights of farm workers have threatened mass action if Rawsonville police do not take action within 10 days against four farmers and a farm worker suspected of gang-rape and assault.

In April, a 22-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped and her 15-year-old friend, who witnessed it, was beaten with a vineyard pole, tied to a bakkie and dragged through a river.

The 15-year-old, who was badly injured during the event, had to miss school and stay with his mother to recover.

Even though the victims have lodged complaints with the police, and have identified the suspects, five months later, police have not arrested anyone, nor have charges been pressed.

The docket had gone missing for a while.