Shots fired as strikers go on the rampage
16/05/2006 13:52  - (SA)  

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Cape Town - Dozens of shots were fired and several arrests made in clashes between about 5 000 striking security guards and police in central Cape Town on Tuesday.

Police had their hands full trying to control the protesters, some of whom went on the rampage in central Cape Town as cars were trashed, windows broken and shops looted.

A journalist covering the march by several thousand people under the banner of the SA Allied and Transport Workers Union (Satawu) was assaulted by protesters.

They had marched to parliament to hand over a memorandum regarding their wage and working conditions grievances.

Rubber bullets, stun grenades

After handing over a memorandum to officials at parliament, the group started breaking up, running in different directions, pursued by police.

Police fired several rounds of rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

Shots could still be heard at 13:00 from around the city, as a helicopter circled overhead, and an ambulance raced down Plein Street.

Police captain Randall Stoffels could not immediately provide information on arrests made or injuries suffered.

Strikers armed with steel pipes

He said reports were received of strikers hurling stones at motorists, damaging several vehicles.

Marchers, many armed with steel pipes and sticks, ripped windscreen wipers and mirrors off cars parked in Plein Street outside parliament, and smashed windows of cars and shops, grabbing merchandise before moving on.

Some used uprooted road signs to trash cars, while other kicked in doors.

Their actions were ignored by fellow marchers.

Some were seen making threatening gestures at bystanders. Glass and rubbish lay scattered along Plein Street after the protesters had passed through.

Parliament gates locked

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille and councillor Simon Grindrod took cover behind the steel gates of a Plein street entrance to parliament as strikers threw stones at the adjacent buildings. All main entrances to parliament were locked.

"I think this strike has gone on too long. People are beginning to lose sympathy with the strikers," she told Sapa.

The strike was also having a negative impact on the economy.

"A solution must be found. Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana must intervene," she said.

- SAPA

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