Black-racist attack: Afrikaner Solidarity-member seriously injured by gang of NUMSA strikers, Port Elizabeth

ON SECOND DAY of their strike, armed, aggressive rampaging mob comprised of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa, smashed Afrikaner male with knobkieries, stomped down on his head. The solidarity trade union member was rushed to Port Elizabeth hospital in a serious condition. Solidarity reports that Afrikaner workers are being attacked by NUMSA members countrywide, targeted for violence. ---------------------- Solidarity reports: Marius Croucamp 3 July 2014 Marius Croucamp says individual beaten with knobkerries and stomped on head at Autocast in PE Solidarity member seriously injured after attack by strikers "The right to strike does not include the right to commit violence." This was the position of Marius Croucamp, Head of the Metal and Engineering Industry at Solidarity, after a Solidarity member had been brutally attacked by strikers at the Port Elizabeth car parts manufacturer Autocast today. The member was beaten with knobkieries and the aggressors also stomped on his head. He sustained serious head injuries and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Solidarity reported the incident in writing to National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and requested urgent and immediate action against violent strikers. "Violent behaviour in the name of a strike is unforgivable. People who attack and threaten non-striking employees should be criminally prosecuted and face the full force of the law," Croucamp said. Since the strike began on Tuesday, Solidarity has received several complaints of violence and intimidation against its members from across the country. "In several places, the strike has devolved into criminality. Perpetrators have stoned vehicles and buildings and several non-strikers have been injured in the process. Our organisers are closely monitoring the situation," Croucamp said. Croucamp said that Solidarity has instructed its organisers to urgently investigate further safety options at the relevant workplaces. "Solidarity will continue to bring future incidents of violence and intimidation to the attention of employers, and encourage police prosecution of the perpetrators. It is unacceptable that criminal activities are carried out under the guise of a strike," Croucamp said. Statement issued by Marius Croucamp, Industry head, Solidarity, July 3 2014 http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=644057&sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389 ================================== Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa strongly condemns violence by NUMSA employees on strike. Calls on SAPS to stop violence instead of just looking on: --------------- SEIFSA inundated with complaints about violence by Numsa strikers July 3014: SEIFSA CONDEMNS VIOLENCE BY STRIKING WORKERS AND CALLS ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE JOHANNESBURG, 3 July 2014 - The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) strongly condemns the violent behaviour of some of the employees currently on strike and calls on union leaders to reign their errant members in and on the South African Police Services (SAPS) to take decisive action to maintain order. Acts of violence and intimidation have been reported across the country in the past two days, with Gauteng being the most affected province, followed by KwaZulu-Natal. SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba said that the Federation was inundated with reports from its members of blatant acts of lawlessness, including violence and general mayhem, by some of the workers currently on strike. He said that while workers' rights to go on strike was respected, there was "absolutely no room for violence". "We are extremely disappointed with the violent behaviour of some union members who have embarked on a wanton campaign of damaging properties - including vehicles - of some of our member companies in the Wadeville and Isando areas since the beginning of the strike. This is precisely what we wanted to avoid when we called on the unions to commit to a Peace Accord at the beginning of the negotiations," Mr Nyatsumba said. The unions doggedly refused to sign such a Peace Accord, saying that they would be prepared to discuss Strike and Picketing Rules only once negotiations had broken down. The agreement remains unsigned and has now been referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration for finalization. Mr Nyatsumba called on the union leadership to ensure that their members behaved in accordance with the laws of the country and refrained from any violent behaviour, and on the South Africa Police Service to act swiftly to prevent a recurrence of violent actions. He revealed that he had twice written to the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Riah Phiyega (see attached second letter), asking her to ensure that the police stood ready to protect life and limb throughout the country. He said that it was important that all those guilty of perpetrating violence were made to face the full might of the law."The right to strike should be exercised without infringing on the rights of others and without creating a perception of lawlessness. Violence and other reprehensible, criminal acts during a strike action cannot be condoned and should be punishable by law. Leaders of organised labour have to step forward and accept responsibility for the conduct of their members during a strike," Mr Nyatsumba said. The SEIFSA CEO expressed concern that damages perpetrated by striking workers had the potential to lower the country's growth prospects even further and were likely to exacerbate South Africa's current unemployment problem. He said that it was important for all stakeholders to work tirelessly together to bring the strike to a speedy end in order to avoid more violence as desperation set in among striking workers. Statement issued by SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer, Kaizer Nyatsumba, July 3 2014 http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=644053&sn=Detail&pid=72308