Water cannons fail to dampen striker spirit

POLICE attempted to disperse more than 200 NUMSA strikers along Escom Road this morning using a water tank.

Despite being pelted with the dyed water from the intersection of Escom Road and Richmond Avenue towards the taxi rank area near Pineside Road, the protesters remained in high spirits and continued with their strike action.

Many of the NUMSA strikers were covered in blue dye, which was shot from the water cannon atop the water tank.

Some of the strikers were injured as they slipped and fell, with a few of them being taken to clinics due to injury.

According to one of the strikers, who did not wish to be named, they were striking peacefully up Escom Road when the truck arrived from behind and without warning, began to spray them with the dyed water.

The group were insisting they would open up a case of brutality against the police.

In another incident this morning, NUMSA strikers marching along Gillitts Road in New Germany, were dispersed with teargas and a water tank.

According to an employee at one of the companies along the road, Nushi Baloyi, the group began marching at about 8am and the group had scattered by 8.20am.

“The police shot teargas at them and sprayed them with water. It was messed up as the teargas started affecting us,” said Baloyi. She also said three women were arrested.

Pinetown has seen numerous protests by striking workers escalate to violence since Numsa workers embarked on a protected strike for higher wages nearly two weeks ago.

You can see more photos of today’s protest here.