Samwu is extremely troubled by the actions of the South African Police Services in relation to legitimate industrial and social protests
"Samwu is extremely troubled by the actions of the South African Police Services (SAPS) in relation to legitimate industrial and social protests," Samwu general secretary Mthandeki Nhlapo said in a statement today.
"The recent events in Standerton, Mpumalanga, where police opened deadly fire on service delivery protesters is a case in point."
Police spokesman Captain Leonard Hlathi said the Sakhile township was calm on Friday after a week of violent protests.
Fifteen people were arrested on Thursday after the police had to fire rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds.
Residents went on the rampage on Sunday, petrol-bombing a house belonging to a municipal officer.
Sixty-five people were arrested in connection with that incident.
On Monday and Tuesday, the library, community hall and municipal offices were set alight.
The protests were sparked by an investigation that implicated several Lekwa municipal officials and councillors in fraud, maladministration and corruption.
"We ourselves are all too familiar with the inadequacies of service delivery. Our members on the ground know and experience the frustration of the poor," said Nhlapo.
"That is why Samwu supports those campaigning for an increase in services, and will continue to urge the government to make good on its promises to deliver them."
Nhlapo said Samwu wanted to "reiterate the point it made last month that a judicial inquiry be established to investigate the tactics used by the SAPS".
Loading...
RobM