Metro Police shoot at SADTU members without provocation
19 August 2010
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has strongly condemned the shooting of its members with rubber bullets – without any provocation – by metro police during a march in the South of Johannesburg today.
The shooting left six SADTU members injured – two suffered head wounds.
Our members were part of a peaceful march by thousands of Public Service Union members in Ormonde heading towards the MI when metro police who were part or a group that was trying to keep up with the marchers suddenly opened fire without giving a warning.
SADTU condemns violence against or conducted by our members. The Unions policy denounces violence and intimidation from any quarter. Our members have a democratic right to engage in a march or any form of demonstration. The action by Metro Police was extremely provocative and has no room in the new democratic South Africa. The right to engage in a march is enshrined in the countrys constitution.
Such action by police wont deter us from continuing to engage in pickets and marches until our demands are met.
Issued by: SADTU Secretariat