Two farm workers shot, one killed, no arrest, no justice

The Congress of South African Trade Union in the North West owes nobody any apology for defending its members and all farm workers and farm dwellers who are faced with the monster of racism in farm areas, led by some few marching white people.

The killing of farm worker Mr Michael Thipe who was shot dead, and Mr Klaas Mogale who was shot and hospitalised, by Mr Swart in Delareyville on 16 May 2008, remains a challenged case by farm workers. These workers are still not being protected by the police, or by the Department of Justice, or by the Human Rights Commission.

COSATU Local and Provincial leadership will not be blackmailed by statements, allegations, arrogance or intimidation by anybody, and particularly not by the farmers who led a protest march against the appearance of Mr Swart in Delareyville Magistrate's Court on the 26 August 2008.

It still remains a racially-motivated shooting. We are convinced as the federation that the matter of robbery is just an allegation to defend those who are in power of money, like Swart and Mark Scott Crossley, who can just kill anyone, anytime, and pay what the court will request or instruct for bail or to brief the judicial system, and the result will be enough or insufficient evidence.

COSATU submitted a Memorandum to the Provincial Commissioner on the 26th May 2008 during the COSATU Local's march at Delareyville. The Provincial Commissioner has still not responded to our Memorandum.

COSATU calls upon the Provincial Commissioner to intervene as a matter of urgency in all six cases submitted to his office; and that all cases involving the victims of black farm workers must be re-investigated by new investigators from outside Delareyville.

Until that is done, nobody can tell us that these attacks are not racially motivated. For example, one farm worker, Mr Lebitsweng, was forced to drink poison. He is currently mentally ill. The matter was reported to the police two to three years ago but nothing has happened. The accused is moving freely.

We call upon the Commissioner to investigate the allegations that the police intimidated Mr Klaas Mogale after he was shot by Mr Swart on the 16th May 2008. The intimidation was to defend Mr Swart.

We are still calling for the arrest of Mr Swart.

COSATU condemns any racial killing, assault or abuse, regardless of race or colour, white or black. Our mandate is to defend the rights of the poor workers, their families and the rest of working class.

Statement issued by Comrade Solly Phetoe, COSATU North West Provincial Secretary, August 27 2008