63 strikers in court

Striking employees burnt a generator and set fire to property adjacent to the office buildings of Avenge Grinaker before they took to the streets where they threw stones at passing motorists. All 63 detainees were denied bail when they first appeared in court on Monday.
Avenge Grinaker LTA is a contractor on The Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP) which is overseen by the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA). Spokesperson for the TCTA, Khudu Mbeba, told Northern News on Tuesday that the site is closed until further notice. He also confirmed that 25 strikers were treated in hospital on Friday after police fired shots in the air and a stampede ensued in which strikers were trampled. “All of the injured workers were released from hospital on Friday, after sustaining minor cuts and bruises.”
Mbeba commended Lephalale Mayor, Jack Maeko, whom strikers demanded to speak to. “The Mayor listened to their grievances and then had the opportunity to communicate those grievances to the management team. Grievances relate to pension funds and benefits. The TCTA is in the process of facilitating talks between unions NUM and NUMSA and Avenge Grinaker LTA with the hope that we can resume work on the project as soon as possible.”