Pretoria - Disgruntled workers who embark on violent strike action to voice their demands, can expect severe punishment from government, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has warned.
"Striking workers from any sector of the economy need to raise their demands in an orderly and dignified manner and refrain from destroying property, assaulting non-striking workers and causing mayhem. Any opposite and deviant conduct will be severely punished by government," he said.
The minister's comments come in the wake of reported acts of intimidation and destruction of property by striking truck drivers. They are expected to march in Johannesburg's CBD this morning.
While Mthethwa acknowledged that workers had the democratic and constitutional right to "express themselves" through protest action, he cautioned that the constitution did not allow for "barbaric and intolerant" behaviour by striking workers.
"Police have a mandate to protect law-abiding citizens and those who find themselves on the wrong side; we shall have no leniency on them.
"We also urge community members who witness such evil actions to report them to the police. No person has the right to take the law into their own hands under whichever disguise of wage demands," he said.
Mthethwa also urged union leaders to discourage their members from "ill-behaviour".
The Police Ministry said it was aware that the majority of striking workers were law-abiding and that the minority with criminal mindsets were tarnishing the image of other workers.
Satawu is demanding a 20 percent pay increase over two years and a ban on labour brokers, while the Road Freight Association is offering 15 percent over two years and believes labour brokers are essential for business.
Meanwhile, trade union Cosatu has pledged its support for the strike, saying truck drivers work very long and unsocial hours, driving on South Africa's poor and often dangerous roads.
They play a crucial role in the economic life of the country and require a high degree of skill and commitment, it said.
