By Anele Siwa
02 February 2008
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) condemns the police officers who threw a stun grenade, and then opened fire at close range with plastic coated steel bullets, at members of the SA Municipal Workers Union in Cape Town on Thursday.
“COSATU sends best wishes to the 12 workers who were injured for a full recovery and we demand the urgent unconditional release of those arrested,” says Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson.
According Craven COSATU demands an immediate investigation into who was responsible for what they call unjustified use of force against peaceful marchers.
“We fully endorse SAMWU’s very stern warning to the Minister of Safety and Security and Cape Town mayor Helen Zille, that the federation will not accept police brutality at our marches and will support their proposed legal action to seek damages for this unprovoked attack,” says Craven.
According Independent OnLine on Thursday, the City of Cape Town accused SAMWU members of intimidation following their march to the council offices.
IOL quotes Mike Marsden as saying Thursday's march of approximately 900 SAMWU members was held in an abusive fashion, with missiles being thrown, intimidation of council staff and the streets being strewn with rubbish
“COSATU requests the Minister of Safety and Security to intervene to prevent any reoccurrence of such violence and to reach and agreement on ways to ensure that in future the police are obliged to work together with union leaders to plan marches and prevent any violence or disorder,” says Craven.
Attempts to get comments from the South African Police Service have failed.
02 February 2008
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) condemns the police officers who threw a stun grenade, and then opened fire at close range with plastic coated steel bullets, at members of the SA Municipal Workers Union in Cape Town on Thursday.
“COSATU sends best wishes to the 12 workers who were injured for a full recovery and we demand the urgent unconditional release of those arrested,” says Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson.
According Craven COSATU demands an immediate investigation into who was responsible for what they call unjustified use of force against peaceful marchers.
“We fully endorse SAMWU’s very stern warning to the Minister of Safety and Security and Cape Town mayor Helen Zille, that the federation will not accept police brutality at our marches and will support their proposed legal action to seek damages for this unprovoked attack,” says Craven.
According Independent OnLine on Thursday, the City of Cape Town accused SAMWU members of intimidation following their march to the council offices.
IOL quotes Mike Marsden as saying Thursday's march of approximately 900 SAMWU members was held in an abusive fashion, with missiles being thrown, intimidation of council staff and the streets being strewn with rubbish
“COSATU requests the Minister of Safety and Security to intervene to prevent any reoccurrence of such violence and to reach and agreement on ways to ensure that in future the police are obliged to work together with union leaders to plan marches and prevent any violence or disorder,” says Craven.
Attempts to get comments from the South African Police Service have failed.
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