[DEBATE] : COSATU members arrested in Mpumalanga picketing Shoprite

[Dominic Tweedie]

COSATU MEDIA   STATEMENT, 15 SEPTEMBER 2006




COSATU MEMBERS ARRESTED IN MPUMALANGA



Twenty two COSATU members including the Secretary of the COSATU local in
Thembisile municipality KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga were provoked, assaulted,
beaten and arrested with brutal force by gun ranging police at 12h00
yesterday 14 September 2006.

The members were arrested during a peaceful and protected protest to support
and pay worker solidarity to the striking SACCAWU members at Shoprite in
KwaMhlanga. The SACCAWU members have been on strike since the 10 August
2006.

The members were refused bail and are due to appear in the KwaMhlanga
Magistrate court oday 15 September 2006 at 10h00.

According to the Chairperson of the COSATU local in the area Cde Bafana
Masango the members were picketing at a distance of about fifty (50) metres
away from the Shoprite Supermarket when police attacked them without warning
beating and assaulting those who could run away the majority of which are
women. Amongst the arrested members are members of SADTU, NEHAWU, SACCAWU
and community members.

We condemn in the strongest possible term the brutality of the police
against our members during peaceful protected actions. This brutality
confirms our repeated suspicion that the police are colluding with business
to destroy COSATU and its affiliates.


COSATU members and surrounding communities will be picketing outside court
as the members appear on 15 September at 10h00.

The media is invited.


For more information please contact:

Fidel Mlombo 082 649 6068

or

Raymond Mnguni 082 712 3559


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