SIZWE samaYENDE, Messina | Wednesday 1.30pm.
Northern Province farmers and police are set to defend themselves on charges of systematic abuse of labourers in the province during a two-day Human Rights Commission hearing beginning in Messina’s Agricultural Hall on Wednesday.
The hearings are a continuation of damning testimony from labourers heard before the commission in August in which they claimed they were systematically underpaid, forced to work exceptionally long hours and were repeatedly threatened with eviction when they protested.
The labourers claimed that police were biased in favour of farmers and regularly arrested protesting labourers on trespass charges. They also allegedly attacked or broke up peaceful and legal demonstrations without provocation.
“Farmers and police were unfortunately unable to testify during the earlier hearing so we have convened another two day hearing to hear their side of the story,” said HRC commissioner Jody Kollapen. “The alleged abuses are very serious and we will take legal steps against anyone found guilty of human rights abuse.” — African Eye News Service