Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed the arrest of a man and a woman in connection with the assault of a non-striking mineworker in Mfidikwe near Rustenburg.
According to police, a 38-year-old man and a woman, also 38, were arrested at their homes in Mfidikwe on Friday on charges of assault with intention to cause serious bodily harm.
Spokesperson Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the non-striking mine employee was allegedly attacked by people who were wearing Association of Mine Workers and Construction Union (Amcu) t-shirt at Mfidikwe on Tuesday afternoon.
"According to the information, the complainant, who is employed at Aquarius, was about to enter his residential place after work when a vehicle stopped next to his house and its occupants alighted and attacked him.
"The suspects allegedly accused the victim of going to work while they are on strike. They reportedly attacked and stabbed him with a knife in the thigh."
He said the 36-year-old man was admitted to hospital.
"Five other suspects are still at large. The suspects are due to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court facing charges of assault with intention to cause serious bodily harm," Ngubane said.
Premier Modise said: “the arrest of the pair should send an unequivocal message to those behind the atrocious and barbaric acts of violence, bullying and intimidation of non-striking workers associated with the AMCU strike that they will all end behind bars”.
In appealing to striking workers to respect the rights of non-striking workers, public and private properties, Premier Modise said that denial of bail and stiff sentences for perpetrators of violence will be a deterrent.
Amcu members at Anglo American Platinum, Lonmin and Impala went on strike on January 23 demanding a R12 500 basic salary per month. – SAnews.gov.za
