BY REGINALD KANYANE
ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters in North West lambasted South African Police Service (SAPS) and Botselo Mills over a three weeks strike that took place at Botshelo Mills along N14 road between Delareyville and Vryburg.

EFF regional secretary in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Neo Moroeng said Botselo Mills and SAPS have not only violated rights of the workers. He said they have also put the lives of Skirlek people in danger.

“Several innocent people have been shot at with rubber bullets by the
police. One person was shot with a rubber bullet in the head. Another elderly man was also been reported to
have been shot while in his yard.

“Employees of Botshelo Mills have been engaged in a three week long
strike demanding better living wages. Tension and violence has erupted
after Botshelo Mills sort a court interdict to stop the strike and
informed striking workers that they have been dismissed,” he said.

Moroeng said the police allegedly refused to open cases for the injured.

“The South African Constitution guarantees the right to assemble,
demonstration and picketing. However the rights of protesters were violated.

“Peaceful and unarmed protesters were shot at while for no apparent reasons. Botshelo Mills management fired workers on spot without due labour
processes which amounts to gross violation of workers rights,” he said.

“We call on community members to stand in solidarity with the workers on
their struggle for a better living wages.

“We also call on community members to boycott all products of Botshelo
Mills. We also call on injured protesters to lodge cases with Independent
Police Investigative Directorate,” Moroeng said.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone saud a truck was set alight yesterday on the N14 road in Delareyville.

He said that the truck was allegedly torched by striking workers of Botselo Mills.

“The situation is now controllable after Public Order Police (POP) were reinforcement. Police will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Protesters barricaded N14 with burning tyres after demanding better living wages from the company.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi said the 2020 Decade of Action for Road Safety which aims at reducing the rate of accidents and fatalities by 50% is realistic.

“Our recent performance of 71% reduction on fatalities is a clear indication that we can live our dream of reducing accidents by 50% in 2020. One day South Africa will be a better country,” says Molapisi.

This follows a massive recorded success on the reduction of road fatalities during Easter holiday, where North West is rated the number one province with 71% compared to last year’s same period fatalities.

“Last year we recorded 28 fatalities and our plan for this year was to reduce by at least 50%. What happened now is that we could say we have outwitted ourselves,” he said.

More than 59 people were arrested during 24hour operations that were conducted around the province on different offenses mostly for drunken driving and excessive speeding.

One driver was arrested and released on R1000 bail after been caught driving 122km/h on an 80km zone on the N4 road between Zeerust and Swarttrugens.

“We still have those rotten potatoes that we need to work on them. Those are people who rejects themselves from being part of success. We will keep acting harsh on them. Our vision is to reach the 2020 Decade of Action on Road Safety and we will do whatever it takes to reach this goal,” said Molapisi.

He further added that his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their beloved ones on the roads.

“The death of 8 people in the province is still more. On behalf of the provincial government, we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families.

“We will be grateful if one day we would not record any death. May the souls of those who perished rest in eternal peace. We also wish speedy recovery to those who were admitted in different hospitals,” concluded Molapisi.

 Motorists and road users are advised to report any hazard on the road by calling the departmental toll free number: 0800 204 992.
-TDN
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