Pretoria News reports that the SA Policing Union (Sapu) and the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) have vowed to keep coming to the doorstep of the Sunnyside police until the ‘politically motivated’ persecution of Sapu president Mpho Kwinika has ended.  

On Wednesday, Kwinika once again appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court following his arrest last month for public disturbance, assaulting a Sunnyside police officer and resisting arrest.  The union has denied the charges.  It has, however, alleged that Kwinika was assaulted by at least eight police officers for seven hours after his arrest.  According to Sapu general secretary Tumi Mogodiseng, “he was denied his constitutional right to contact his lawyer, denied ablution services and worse still made to sleep in his own urine.”   At Kwinika appearance, the state was granted a postponement for police to conduct further investigations.  He will appear in court again on 21 May.  Following Kwinika appearance, Sapu members, supported by Saftu and SA Correctional Services Workers Union members, marched from the court to the Sunnyside police station.

• Read the original of Goitsemang Tlhabye’s report on this story and view a video clip on the march at Pretoria News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page