Killing of Children by Lions 22-06-07

 

COSATU NORTH WEST STATEMENT TOWARDS THE KILLING OF FARM WORKERS AND CHILDREN BY LIONS IN THE PROVINCE

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in North West province condemns in totality the continuation of the killing of farm workers and the children by lions, including the killing ten-year-old Tshepo Gaorupi at the farm called Woodborron in Vryburg owned by Tommy Van Vuuren.

It cannot be accepted that every month, every year, our farm workers and their families are under attack by animals such as lions. This is human rights eradication by farmers.

Cosatu therefore calls for:

Ø The MEC of Agriculture, MEC of Safety and Security and the Department of Justice to act on the matter.

Ø The Vryburg Police to arrest and open a murder case against the owner of the farm.

Ø North West provincial government to reopen all the cases of killing of farm workers with a clear proper investigation report on this matter.

It is our view as the federation that the human rights of the farm workers in the North West province are not respected by both the Department of Justice and farmers. Therefore we call upon the provincial government, MEC for Safety and Security to investigate the matter urgently.

COSATU, in consultation with other civil society organisations in the province, is to mobilise members for a protest action against Department of Justice, Safety and Security to demand the re-opening of all cases of the killing of the farm workers, te use of child labour and victimistion, and that those who are implicated to the matter be arrested with immediate effect.

For more information feel free to contact Cosatu Provincial Secretary Solly N Phetoe 082 304 4055