Cosatu condemns police over-reaction 23-04-08

 

COSATU condemns police over-reaction

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the over-reaction by the police when they opened fire with rubber bullets on residents of the Hospital Hills settlement, Lenasia, on Sunday, 20 April 2008.

There are at least 3 200 shacks in the Hospital Hills informal settlement, with four to five people living in each one; some residents have lived there for more than 20 years. On Sunday they were exercising their democratic right to protest at delays in the provision of housing, electricity, water and sanitary facilities.

When demonstrators refused to disperse, the police opened fire with rubber bullets. According to community leader Nithia Naidoo, speaking from a holding cell at the Lenasia South police station after being one of 23 people arrested for allegedly inciting the crowd: "It was completely uncalled for. People who are with me at the moment are injured after they were shot with rubber bullets. Police also fired live ammunition... I don't know why, because we weren't even fighting." He further alleged that, despite his repeated attempts, police refused to call for medical assistance.

Police spokeswoman Inspector Mpho Kgasoane conceded that her officers had "no option other than to open fire with rubber bullets," but COSATU strongly believes there must be other options rather that firing rubber bullets, tear gas and even live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators, as has also happened at a number of workers' protests.

The right to demonstrate is enshrined in our constitution and laws. COSATU has consistently argued for the police to recognise this right, negotiate with the demonstrators and reach agreements on how to manage protests, rather than resorting to the trigger-happy deployment of force.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017