A worker, who was injured by the stun grenade used to disperse a crowd of protesting municipal workers yesterday afternoon, spoke out against the actions of police.
“I was sitting down when about five officers came and removed me forcefully,” alleged the man. “I had turned around and was walking away; I was not resisting.”
The detonation of the stun grenade seconds after shocked and angered the man. “It was not minimum force. They used the maximum force, which was unnecessary.”
A piece of the stun grenade hit the man on the arm, ripping his shirt and burning him. He went to the doctor immediately after the chaos had settled, and received treatment for the burn he had sustained.
“We were simply discussing what we were going to do,” he explained. “It was wrong for them to trespass on municipal property and there was no need for them to use maximum force. They are pathetic, dirty and sick criminals.”
The man confirmed he would be going to lay a charge against the police, although he was unsure exactly what he could do in the situation.
“I am very angry,” he said. “I was not resisting and it was not right for them to use that thing.”
According to the man, negotiations had been going well until the municipality had informed the unions they were not willing to accommodate their requests, on the grounds of it not being a sustainable request.
“Our union representative came to us on Friday. He said the employer had asked if we would be willing to lower the asked amount, and we did, to R4 700. On Monday, we were told that the employer had come back saying no.”
The worker did not wish to comment further on his employer, and wished only to express his anger with the police.
Police spokesperson, Captain Shooz Magudulela said police had simply acted upon the requirements of the court order. “We informed them about the court order, and asked them nicely to disperse.” He further went on to say the actions of workers yesterday afternoon had directly contravened the court order, forcing police to act.
“I respect that they were doing their jobs, I do respect them. But they trespassed,” he said. “Who is the criminal?”
