Racist death threats condemned

2008-11-24 21:28

Pretoria - The Congress of South African Trade Unions on Monday expressed "grave concern" after hearing that one of its officials had been receiving racist death threats.

In a statement, spokesperson Patrick Craven said Cosatu had heard at its central executive committee that North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe had been receiving threats.

Craven said Phetoe had been active and vocal in support of the campaign for justice for the people of Skierlik and the victims of the murderous, racist attack on the community by Johan Nel, for which he received four life sentences last Friday.

"The CEC delegates declared its solidarity with Comrade Phetoe and resolved that any attack on its provincial secretary, or any other Cosatu or local community member, will be regarded as an attack on the entire leadership and two million members of Cosatu."

Cosatu demanded that the police hunt down the perpetrators of the threats and bring them before the courts, for punishment.

"Racist violence has no place in a democratic South Africa and must be rooted out," he said.

Phetoe could not be immediately reached for comment.

- SAPA