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Reservists to appear in court as Winnie promises to pursue their cause
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | Comments: 1
74 reservists from Monday's violent protests, which occasioned police firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, will appear in court on Tuesday to be charged with public violence and participating in an illegal march.
The accused are members of the South African Police Reservists who believe that they have been short changed by the government and the police because despite their long service they feel that they have been overlooked when permanent vacancies became available. Their main aim however is to obtain an unconditional integration into the police.
As a result of their grievances allegedly not being addressed, they took to the streets yesterday in protests that became so violent that, according to a reporter from the Citizen, "ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had to defuse the tension between protesters and police officers".
According to the Metro Police the protesters had not obtained a permit so the entire march was illegal. When they tried to order them to disperse it became ugly which resulted in police having to use rubber bullets.
A memorandum was handed over to Gauteng Community Safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu setting out the reservists grievances.
Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini confirmed their appearance in court today but was unable to say whether any further protests could be expected outside the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court in Fox Street.
"At the moment it is quiet. We haven't been informed of anything," he said.
One positive that has emerged for reservists is that Madikizela-Mandela has promised to take up their grievances with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. As a result there is no doubt that they will be heard by those at the very top.
Sapa-RS
The accused are members of the South African Police Reservists who believe that they have been short changed by the government and the police because despite their long service they feel that they have been overlooked when permanent vacancies became available. Their main aim however is to obtain an unconditional integration into the police.
As a result of their grievances allegedly not being addressed, they took to the streets yesterday in protests that became so violent that, according to a reporter from the Citizen, "ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had to defuse the tension between protesters and police officers".
According to the Metro Police the protesters had not obtained a permit so the entire march was illegal. When they tried to order them to disperse it became ugly which resulted in police having to use rubber bullets.
A memorandum was handed over to Gauteng Community Safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu setting out the reservists grievances.
Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini confirmed their appearance in court today but was unable to say whether any further protests could be expected outside the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court in Fox Street.
"At the moment it is quiet. We haven't been informed of anything," he said.
One positive that has emerged for reservists is that Madikizela-Mandela has promised to take up their grievances with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. As a result there is no doubt that they will be heard by those at the very top.
Sapa-RS
1073 Lyndall Beddy
[ Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | 2:46:42 PM ]
They have ALREADY been told by the police minister that they will be considered but have to qualify to be accepted (which includes passing psychmetric tets). They probably know they can't pass the tests.
Winnie is just cashing in on publicity again.
Winnie is just cashing in on publicity again.
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