A Kanhym Estates worker was killed and four others wounded in Mpumalanga on Wednesday when security guards at the company opened fire on protesting workers.
Food and Allied Workers’ Union regional secretary Simon Mabunele said Ezekiel Raselemane (31) was shot dead while about 500 people were protesting for a wage increase at the farming company’s premises in Middelburg.
The workers have been on strike for the past two weeks and are demanding a 10% increase, while the company is offering 6,5%. They also want 20 working days’ leave per year and a R10-per-shift across-the-board payment for night shifts.
Last week, 120 workers were arrested while on their way to picket at the company. They were released on bail of R500 each.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said it is shocked by the shooting.
”It is utterly outrageous that such events can still take place in a democratic South Africa,” said Cosatu spokesperson Paul Notyhawa.
”We demand the fullest possible investigation into the incident, including the allegations that security guards at the company randomly opened fire on striking workers outside their employer’s premises.”
He added that since the strike started, workers have been ”harshly treated and victimised”.
”This gun-toting style in resolving labour disputes is condemned in the strongest possible terms. The security [guard] who robbed the family and the union of this member must be charged with murder with immediate effect,” Notyhawa insisted.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Denice Grobler said a murder docket has been opened and police are investigating the case.
She said four security guards were arrested after the incident for murder and attempted murder.
The MD of Kanhym Estates, Theunis Prinsloo, expressed regret and concern at the incident.
”What happened was that the group [of workers] left the demarcated area this morning [Wednesday] and some security guards who are working for the security company contracted by us [Kanhym Estates] closed in on the protesters.
”We regret the incident. It was an unfortunate incident. All the details will come out in the police investigation.”
Regarding the wage talks, Prinsloo said negotiations are continuing and that he believes the issue will be resolved soon. — Sapa