COSATU+condemns+state+lawlessness



=COSATU condemns state lawlessness= The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is outraged by the unwarranted raids against private persons and institutions, and the subsequent terrorising of the public, by the Johannesburg Metro Police over the past few days. The raids and searches of families enjoying themselves in restaurants is a transgression of their constitutional rights, i.e. the freedom of movement, the right to human dignity, the right to freedom and security, and the right to privacy. No state institution is above the law, including those courts who continue to issue legally unjustifiable warrants. We therefore condemn unreservedly the bullying, intimidation and terrorist tactics reminiscent of the apartheid era, which are being used by our state institutions. Last month they fired live bullets and tear gas at SAMWU’s peaceful protesters in Johannesburg. Last week they brutally raided the homes of the Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC) and his lawyers. Now it is the restaurants. Tomorrow it will be our schools, churches and mosques. Thereafter they will come and raid our Tripartite Alliance meeting. Next year they will raid the COSATU National Congress. We shall not idly watch whilst our hard won constitutional democracy is being undermined and eroded by these thugs operating within our criminal justice system. They must not push our people’s patience too far. Enough is enough! Communication & IT Department (National Spokesperson) Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) 1-5 Leyds (CNR Biccard) Street Braamfontein, 2017 P.O. Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000 Republic of South Africa Cell: 082 4911 591 Tel: 011-339 4911/24 Fax: 011-339 50 80/6940 E-mail: paul@cosatu.org.za
 * Paul Notyhawa (Adv.)