COSATU outraged at treatment of Zola residents on Sanral land

COSATU is outraged at the treatment of the people of Zola in Strand who have built themselves homes on the Sanral land. The police are clearly guilty of abuse in the manner in which people have been treated during this eviction operation. This eviction disregards the people's desperate need for housing and basic human dignity. People should be given alternate land to build their houses on, in the event of them having to move off land for whatever legitimate reason. Where do the authorities expect people to go when there are no alternatives for them and this in the middle of winter?

But to treat people in this manner is entirely unacceptable as reported on by the media in respect of the conduct of the policing agencies. These are our people - our brothers and sisters - and they must be treated fairly and decently.

COSATU calls for the end to police brutality and an end to any criminal acts during protest. We further call for alternative land to be made available for the people of Zola who are being put off Sanral land.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, June 3 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter