Two jailed after rubber bullets fired at logistics park job seekers
Armed with just their CVs, people who were hoping to get jobs were met with a hail of rubber bullets.
A GROUP of Wentworth residents flooded the Durban Magistrate’s Court this morning (Thursday, 9 February) in solidarity with three people who were injured when a group clashed with Metro Police officers outside the former racecourse site in Clairwood yesterday (Wednesday, 8 February).
The debacle started when a group of about 80 locals went to the former Clairwood racecourse site, which is in the process of being developed into a logistics park, with CVs in hand in the hopes of seeking employment.
A woman who was part of the group and who asked not to be named, said they were waiting for work outside the premises when they decided to block the entrance. This prevented any truck or car from entering or exiting. “This is when Metro Police came and told us to move. We did and instead went and stood under the bridge because it was hot. They then told us to move even further away,” she said.
According to the woman, without any warning, the Metro Police began to cock their guns and opened fire on the crowd. “Three men were injured by their rubber bullets. They were shot in the back which tells you they were running away and not retaliating,” said the woman.
Ward 68 councillor, Aubrey Snyman who was at the courts with the group on Thursday morning, said the police’s actions were unacceptable. “Nobody provoked them yet they chose to open fire on people who were only armed with CVs. They chased these people from the racecourse and actually pulled a phone out of one man’s hands to delete footage of the shootings,” said Cllr Snyman.
“These people were only looking for jobs. And if there were proper channels set up to go through to get these jobs, all of this could have been avoided. It’s unacceptable. There was no reason for them to shoot at unarmed, defenseless people. The police are supposed to uphold the law, not take it into their own hands,” he said.
Two of the three men who were shot at with rubber bullets sustained injuries and were arrested by police. They were charged with public violence and appeared for a bail hearing this morning, with support from community members in attendance. They were released on R500 bail and the case was postponed until Monday, 27 March.
Nico Prinsloo, development manager of the Fortress Income Fund which is developing the Clairwood Logistics Park, said he was deeply saddened to hear about the incident which took place outside the company’s property yesterday. He explained that, from the outset, the company and its contractors had been committed to providing employment for members of local communities wherever possible.
They are currently negotiating with community representatives to facilitate employment opportunities via channels set down by the eThekwini Municipality and hope to see the situation resolved as soon as possible. He urged members of surrounding communities to pursue employment opportunities via the correct channels and to act responsibly to ensure the safety of all involved.
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