TimesLIVE reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says SA Policing Union (Sapu) president Mpho Kwinika's arrest coincided with calls by union members for the state presidency to probe police corruption.
Sapu is affiliated to Saftu. Speaking on Radio 702, Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said it was no coincidence that Kwinika was arrested and allegedly assaulted by police at Sunnyside, Pretoria, at the weekend. Kwinika, according to the federation, sustained a broken arm, burst ear drum and bruising to his ribs. Kwinika's treatment was akin to that in the apartheid era, Vavi added. Police, however, said the union boss had been disturbing the peace and had resisted arrest. Vavi said Kwinika had known for weeks that he was in danger. Threatening behaviour was now being directed at the general secretary of the union, Tumelo Mogodiseng, according to Vavi. Kwinika was charged with disturbing the peace, assaulting police officers and resisting arrest. Vavi claimed the charges were "trumped up". Kwinika is due to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Saftu said they had since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the SA Human Rights Commission seeking assistance.
- Read the full original of Naledi Shange’s report on this story at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page