Winnie calms cops versus cops demo
9 February 2010, 07:26
By Nontobeko Mtshali
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela can still command a crowd.
All it took to calm tensions and violence between protesting police reservists and police officers at Beyers Naude Square in central Joburg yesterday was the arrival of the "mother of the nation".
Police reservists from around the country had gathered to hand a memorandum to Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Khabisi Mosunkutu to air their grievances about working for years without pay, only to be overlooked when permanent positions became available.
Their protest was to be peaceful, but tempers flared. Bricks were allegedly thrown at the police, who retaliated with rubber bullets.
While police did not say how many were injured, reservists said more than 20 had to be taken to hospital after being hit by rubber bullets.
They allege that three of their colleagues had been shot with live ammunition and were taken to Hillbrow Hospital.
Given Zondo, 35, a reservist from Orlando East, Soweto, said she saw two people shot at close range by police officers.
"They shot a man and a woman and they dragged them into a police truck. When they shook the guy to wake him, he was unresponsive," said Zondo, a reservist for nine years.
Gauteng police spokesman Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said he was not aware of the use of live ammunition.
"I don't know about the live ammunition but rubber bullets were used when bricks were thrown at police officers," said Dlamini.
Pule Molefe, one of the reservists' leaders, said 78 of their members were arrested and taken to holding cells at the Johannesburg Central police station.
Through Madikizela-Mandela's intervention, however, the arrested reservists were later released.
She also accepted the reservists' memorandum on behalf of the government and promised to attend to the matter urgently.
She said it was tragic that the protest action had to take place just days before the ruling party celebrated its 98th anniversary and the commemoration of Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
Madikizela-Mandela, an ANC MP, said she would also raise the issue during the opening of Parliament on Thursday.
Percy Mokala, a Pretoria-based reservist for 25 years, said he felt let down by the government. He questioned why a person with experience and know-how would be overlooked for someone who didn't even know how to take down a statement.
Ministry of Police spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said being a reservist did not necessarily mean the person would be absorbed into the SAPS.
"Our position is that there will not be an automatic integration into the police force. We have outlined the key requirements," he explained.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela can still command a crowd.
All it took to calm tensions and violence between protesting police reservists and police officers at Beyers Naude Square in central Joburg yesterday was the arrival of the "mother of the nation".
Police reservists from around the country had gathered to hand a memorandum to Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Khabisi Mosunkutu to air their grievances about working for years without pay, only to be overlooked when permanent positions became available.
Their protest was to be peaceful, but tempers flared. Bricks were allegedly thrown at the police, who retaliated with rubber bullets.
While police did not say how many were injured, reservists said more than 20 had to be taken to hospital after being hit by rubber bullets.
They allege that three of their colleagues had been shot with live ammunition and were taken to Hillbrow Hospital.
Given Zondo, 35, a reservist from Orlando East, Soweto, said she saw two people shot at close range by police officers.
"They shot a man and a woman and they dragged them into a police truck. When they shook the guy to wake him, he was unresponsive," said Zondo, a reservist for nine years.
Gauteng police spokesman Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said he was not aware of the use of live ammunition.
"I don't know about the live ammunition but rubber bullets were used when bricks were thrown at police officers," said Dlamini.
Pule Molefe, one of the reservists' leaders, said 78 of their members were arrested and taken to holding cells at the Johannesburg Central police station.
Through Madikizela-Mandela's intervention, however, the arrested reservists were later released.
She also accepted the reservists' memorandum on behalf of the government and promised to attend to the matter urgently.
She said it was tragic that the protest action had to take place just days before the ruling party celebrated its 98th anniversary and the commemoration of Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
Madikizela-Mandela, an ANC MP, said she would also raise the issue during the opening of Parliament on Thursday.
Percy Mokala, a Pretoria-based reservist for 25 years, said he felt let down by the government. He questioned why a person with experience and know-how would be overlooked for someone who didn't even know how to take down a statement.
Ministry of Police spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said being a reservist did not necessarily mean the person would be absorbed into the SAPS.
"Our position is that there will not be an automatic integration into the police force. We have outlined the key requirements," he explained.
- This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on February 09, 2010
Durban
