COSATU condemns police violence 02-02-08

 

COSATU condemns police violence

The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly 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 31 January 2008. We send our best wishes to the 12 workers who were injured for a full recovery and demand the immediate unconditional release of those arrested.

COSATU demands an urgent investigation into who was responsible for this totally unjustified use of force against peaceful marchers, and disciplinary action to be taken against the officers found guilty.

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.

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.