COSATU and PASSOP are extremely disappointed by the DA's allegations that the ANC and Minister Tina Joematt-Pettersson are fueling violence in De Doorns.
We are extremely disappointed by the unfounded and misguided allegations that the ANC or the Minister of Agriculture has in any way supported violence during any strike action. We also rubbish claims by the DA that humanitarian aid by either the ANC or Minister of Agriculture was donated to leaders of any organization and any suggestion that the aid was distributed to organizations. We also want to set the record straight on the following points:
- The Department of Agriculture was approached by PASSOP privately due to concerns over the extreme poverty and humanitarian crisis experienced by the rural community of De Doorns, which depends entirely on income from the agricultural sector.
- PASSOP also made a general public appeal for assistance for those in this impoverished community for a number of reasons, including unemployment, low wages, and interruption of income because of a high number of dismissals, labour disputes, and resulting strike actions.
- The Department of Agriculture provided much needed humanitarian assistance that was intended to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and create an environment where level headed negotiations would be more viable between employees and employers in the agricultural sector.
- Regarding the strike action that occurred in November 2012: several DA politicians blamed intimidation as the reason many workers did not work. We are, therefore, confused that the DA publicly opposes the distribution of humanitarian aid to a community that they claim had been intimidated into not working, resulting in lost income and adding to an already dire situation in the community.