'Don't use cops as scab labour'

2008-04-18 17:08

Durban - Police officers should not be used as "scab labour" to offload a shipment of arms destined for Zimbabwe, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said on Friday.

Popcru spokesperson Benzi Soko said: "Satawu has very good reasons for offloading the ship. We understand their objection. Police cannot be used as scab labour."

Soko's statement follows the announcement by the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) on Thursday that its members would not offload the ship, the An Yue Jiang.

The An Yue Jiang has been at anchor off the port of Durban since Monday and is carrying a cargo of arms destined for Zimbabwe.

Asked what Popcru's position would be if police were asked to offload the ship, Soko said: "We are of the view they should not offload this ship."

He said Popcru would consider taking legal action if its members were asked to offload the ship.

The United Transport and Allied Trade Union said on Friday that its members would also not help offload the ship.

On Friday morning Democratic Alliance defence spokesperson Rafeek Shah called on government to revoke the conveyance permit issued in terms of the National Conventional Arms Control Act (NCAC).

He said: "The [NCAC] clearly states that the committee must "cancel, amend or suspend the permit if it is in the interests of maintaining and promoting international peace or avoiding repression and terrorism."

Defence secretary January Masilela told Sapa on Thursday that the scrutiny committee of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee's (NCACC), which he chairs had approved the conveyance permit on Monday.

He said an inspection team from the NCACC would still have to ensure the cargo met the requirements of the permit before the cargo could begin to be transported to Zimbabwe.

The permit would be endorsed by the NCACC when it meets next month.

Asked about the controversy surrounding the shipment Masilela said: "This is a normal transaction between two sovereign states. We are doing our legal part and we don't have to interfere."

Police spokesperson Captain Dennis Adriao, asked if he knew when the ship would dock, said: "I haven't actually got those details."

Noseweek editor Martin Welz told Sapa on Wednesday that "the cargo ship was openly delivering a containment of arms for Zimbabwe".

He said he had copies of all the documents, including a packing list.

The controversial cargo packed into 3 080 cases included three million rounds of 7.62mm bullets (used with automatic rifles), 69 rocket propelled grenades, as well as mortar bombs and tubes.

The cargo is, according to the documentation, valued at R9.88m.

- SAPA