Cope: probe strike violence

A delivery truck that was set alight allegedly by striking truck drivers in Kempton Park in Johannesburg. Photo: Dumisani Sibeko.

A delivery truck that was set alight allegedly by striking truck drivers in Kempton Park in Johannesburg. Photo: Dumisani Sibeko.

Published Oct 15, 2012

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The police should probe the violence that occurred during the three-week transport sector strike by truck drivers, the Congress of the People (Cope) said on Monday.

“The long-drawn-out truck drivers' strike... has portrayed South Africa in a negative light,” spokesman Papi Kganare said in a statement.

“The (police) must now focus and intensify their probe into all criminal related incidents, including the deaths of innocent truck drivers, in efforts to bring justice to the families of the victims of the violent strike.”

The strike was marred by violence, with delivery vehicles looted and set alight, one driver killed, and several others injured.

Unions and employers signed a three-year wage deal in Johannesburg on Friday ending the strike.

Kganare said workers in the country should not use their right to strike and demonstrate as an excuse for violence or lawlessness.

“The police must bring all perpetrators to book and send out a strong message that the country will never tolerate lawlessness of any form,” she said. - Sapa

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