In a shocking display of violence, workers at a construction site in Midrand were subjected to brutal treatment by local police officers on Thursday night. Eyewitnesses report scenes of terror as law enforcement officials, responding to a protest over unpaid wages, resorted to extreme measures to disperse the crowd.
Around 9 p.m., tensions escalated when a group of approximately 200 workers gathered outside the construction site, demanding their overdue salaries. The peaceful protest quickly turned chaotic when police arrived, allegedly without warning, and began using excessive force.
Accounts from the scene describe a nightmarish ordeal: workers being shot with rubber bullets, suffocated with tear gas, and severely beaten with batons. "It was like a war zone," said Thabo Mokoena, a construction worker. "We were unarmed, just asking for what we are owed, but they treated us like criminals."
Emergency services reported that at least 30 individuals sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Several workers were hospitalized, including two with serious head injuries from baton strikes and another who suffered a broken arm while trying to shield himself.
Local human rights organizations have condemned the actions of the police. "This is a blatant abuse of power," stated Nthabiseng Mahlangu, a spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission. "The use of force in this manner is both unlawful and unacceptable. We demand a full investigation and accountability for those responsible."
The Midrand Police Department has yet to release an official statement but has promised an internal review of the incident. Meanwhile, the construction company at the center of the dispute has remained silent, further fueling workers' frustrations.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence, calls for justice and fair treatment of workers grow louder. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny of labor practices and police conduct in South Africa.
Source:
https://x.com/Abramjee/status/1809486630899851686?t=6lIfuvQC00s_V5VcPReRYA&s=19