De Doorns victim 'not part of strike'
2013-01-16 10:08
Video
2013-01-15 14:47
A De Doorns resident caught up in the farm protests has died as a result of rubber bullet injuries. Watch. WATCH
Cape Town - A man who died after allegedly being shot with
rubber bullets in De Doorns was not part of the farmworkers' strike, it was
reported on Wednesday.
The Cape Times reported that Letsekang Thokoene, 23, worked
at a spaza shop in De Doorns, before being shot on Monday during a protest over
higher wages.
His family in the Eastern Cape were informed of his death.
Western Cape police said Thokoene died in hospital and that
the Independent Police Investigative Directorate would investigate the
shooting.
Farmworkers went on strike last year to demand their daily
wage be increased from R69 to R150, and that a coherent land reform programme
be implemented.
The strike was suspended in December, but resumed on
Wednesday last week.
ANC chairperson in the Boland Pat Marran told the newspaper
the farm strike should be called off because the government had stepped in, some
farmers were willing to negotiate, and criminals had taken advantage of the
situation.
"Some farmers have said they are willing to negotiate
but I feel that cannot be done in such an environment. It is tense and very
violent there" he said.
"Government departments have also come to the party and
showed willingness to assist. In light of that, maybe it would be right to
consider calling off the strike."
- SAPA
