Union Offices - stormed 06 - 23 - 06

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has been shocked to learn that yesterday, 21 June 2006, police stormed into the offices of some of its affiliated unions in Upington, and searched their premises.

The police warrant of search stated that these were 'Cosatu Offices', yet COSATU does not have offices in the area. The building houses the FAWU Sub Regional Offices, the SATAWU Regional Offices, PAWUSA Regional Offices and NEHAWU Regional Offices.

The police allege that they found Dagga in SATAWU Offices and arrested the SATAWU Regional Secretary, Basil Laatoe, for alleged possession of Dagga. The police also damaged the door of the FAWU Office.

COSATU is appalled by the behaviour of the police. By breaking office doors, they left important union documents and property unprotected overnight.

We are not opposed to searches as such, provided the police have proper legal authority and genuine reasons, but searches must be done correctly and with respect to the staff in the offices. Our condemnation of the police's actions was vindicated later when Captain Roussow from Upington police station came to the FAWU offices, spoke to a FAWU official and said that they will fix the office door that the police broke.

COSATU demands a full investigation into this incident which it sees as a deliberate move intended to undermine the federation and its affiliates. It follows a number of disturbing incidents , including the arrest of COSATU leaders at the Swaziland border demonstration in 6 April and in Cape Town in May, and the violent tactics used by the police against striking security guards.

Is it a coincidence that this raid took place after a statement from SATAWU that they intend suing Charles Nqakula for "the undue use of police force" against striking members during the security guards'' strike?

For further information please phone the COSATU Free State/Northern Cape Provincial Secretary, Sam Mashinini, on 082 563 6954