ANA reports that a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor suffered two broken fingers and rib injuries after he was allegedly beaten-up by striking municipal workers at Bojanala Platinum District Municipality in the North West.
The DA’s Leon Basson said Councillor Paultjie Hendriks was assaulted at a special council meeting on 16 October. "When the DA asked for a break to caucus and tried to leave the council chambers, our councillor was physically attacked by the striking employees. Councillor Hendriks was then assaulted, they broke two of his fingers, elbow and ribs. He was further held hostage for three hours as they refused to let him go and refused to call an ambulance so he could receive medical attention," Basson indicated. Some Bojanala workers have downed tool demanding to be paid their September salaries. The municipality was able to pay salaries of workers on a low salary scale, but high earners have not been paid. "Though the DA understands the frustration of officials who have not received their salaries due to the mismanagement of funds at the municipality, it is completely unacceptable for them to physically attack councillors," Basson noted. The DA has laid criminal charges against the municipal workers for assault and kidnapping.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molaole Montsho at Independent News
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