COSATU+members+arrested+in+Mpumalanga,+15+September+2006

COSATU MEDIA STATEMENT, 15 SEPTEMBER 2006
=COSATU MEMBERS ARRESTED IN MPUMALANGA=

Twenty two COSATU members including the Secretary of the COSATU local in Thembisile municipality KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga were provoked, assaulted, beaten and arrested with brutal force by gun ranging police at 12h00 yesterday 14 September 2006.

The members were arrested during a peaceful and protected protest to support and pay worker solidarity to the striking SACCAWU members at Shoprite in KwaMhlanga. The SACCAWU members have been on strike since the 10 August 2006.

The members were refused bail and are due to appear in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate court oday 15 September 2006 at 10h00.

According to the Chairperson of the COSATU local in the area Cde Bafana Masango the members were picketing at a distance of about fifty (50) metres away from the Shoprite Supermarket when police attacked them without warning beating and assaulting those who could run away the majority of which are women. Amongst the arrested members are members of SADTU, NEHAWU, SACCAWU and community members.

We condemn in the strongest possible term the brutality of the police against our members during peaceful protected actions. This brutality confirms our repeated suspicion that the police are colluding with business to destroy COSATU and its affiliates.

COSATU members and surrounding communities will be picketing outside court as the members appear on 15 September at 10h00.

The media is invited. For more information please contact:** Fidel Mlombo 082 649 6068**


 * or**


 * Raymond Mnguni 082 712 3559**

247 words