By Anele Siwa
05 May 2008
05 May 2008
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West condemns what it believe is the racist assault on James Patapata and James Kaunda in Skierlik, Swartruggens, on May Day.
“COSATU welcomes the arrest of two family members alleged to be responsible”, says Solly Phetoe Cosatu General Secretary in North West.
According to Phetoe the Skierlik community is becoming extremely unsafe and the trade union federation demands strong action against perpetrators of racist violence.
It was reported earlier that a 40-year-old father and his 20-year-old son were arrested for allegedly assaulting Patapata and Kaunda, both aged 58. The assault victims went to a farm in the area to buy livestock when two men who were visiting the farm are said to have attacked them. The father and son allegedly kicked and hit one of the men so badly that they broke both his arms. The suspects will appear in court in Swartruggens tomorrow.
In a separate incident, 18-year-old Johan Nel, is standing trial for shooting dead four people including a three-month old baby and a 10-year-old child, and wounding six other in Skierlik in January.
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