Local News
NW man arrested for strike violence─── 05:27 Thu, 23 Oct 2014
Rustenburg - A 33-year-old man arrested in connection with violence linked to the strike at Glencore in Rustenburg appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate's Court in Tlhabane on Wednesday, North West police said.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said he appeared on charges of public violence.
"The suspect was remanded in custody until October 28, for a formal bail application."
He said several assaults and hostage incidents linked to the current wage increment strike by members of National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) were reported on Friday at Glencore mine in Kroondal.
"It is alleged that non-striking miners were assaulted with knobkerries and sjamboks by striking employees who also forced victims to join the strike."
He said one of the victims was in a critical condition at George Mkhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa due to the severe head injuries he sustained after being struck with a knobkerrie.
In one of the incidents, a man who was dropping his wife at work was forced, together with his wife, out of their vehicle, assaulted and forced to join the strike while in pain.
"They were only released at the end of the picketing."
He said investigations into the matter continued and more arrests were imminent.
Sapa
