COSATU calls for end to racially-motivated attacks on farm workers in North-West's Delareyville
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has today (26 May) called for an end to racism, assaults and killing of farm workers in the North-West town of Delareyville .
Delareyville has been plagued by racially-motivated attacks on farm workers, with recent incidents having been reported at the Driekant and Diamantaar areas of the town.
In a memorandum presented to the Delareyville Police Station following a march, COSATU said it wished register its "deep concern at the high level of racial intolerance" in the area.
Added COSATU: "We continue to witness racially-motivated assaults and killings of farm workers here. Once again, we wish to reiterate that racism and apartheid, are not only outdated concepts but unconstitutional in a democratic South Africa.
"Racism is also an offence punishable in the courts of law. Intolerance of, and hostility to other people on account of their race belong to the dustbin of history. We further wish to express our strongest condemnation to the recent brutal attacks on farm workers and members of the community here.
"We demand that the perpetrators be prosecuted for committing such heinous and barbaric acts on out people post apartheid." Joined by the ANC and SACP, together with workers and the local Delareyville community, COSATU demanded that SAPS:
- Stop racially-motivated abuse of people in the area based on racial prejudice "because noparticular race or group is inferior to another".
- Stop the practice of discrimination.
- Stop racial harassment and intimidation of farm workers "because we are all equal human beings".
- Immediately transform the Delareyville Police Station to reflect South African demographics and "take community concerns seriously".
- End to White supremacy in the police station.
- End killing of workers by white farmers. "We want those who kill and assault our people to be brought to book immediately."
- Arrest the white farmer's son who happened to be in possession of a firearm and that his father who should be disarmed. COSATU said they (father and son) were a danger to society.
- Immediately suspend and dismiss Captain Kriel, whose behaviour and conduct during a racially-motivated trial was unbecoming.
- To ensure that the local judiciary is fair in judging racially-motivated cases.
- Investigate in full all racially-motivated cases of assault and killings of farm workers. COSATU was particularly concerned about the Driekant and the Diamantaar incidents.
- Dissolution of the Police Forum which is of no assistance to the community.
COSATU has called on the local police commissioner to accede to the community demands within 14 days. "Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to mobilise the community to petition the Delareyville Police Station by taking the matter to higher authorities," read the memorandum.
Statement issued by Solly Phetoe provincial secretary of COSATU North West, May 26 2008
