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Cops nab 37 strikers as violence mounts

GAUTENG police arrested 37 striking public servant workers for public violence at two state hospitals - including eight at a social services department in Sebokeng yesterday.

In the Northern Cape police arrested 38 protesters staging a march in Kimberley.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Eugene Opperman said the police were also forced to fire rubber bullets at striking workers outside Johannesburg's Helen Joseph Hospital after a policeman was assaulted.

"A policeman was assaulted . he was not seriously injured but the police had to act. Rubber bullets were used," said Opperman.

"Six people were arrested for public violence."

At Edenvale Hospital, east of Johannesburg, another 23 protesters were arrested.

"The police asked the strikers to make way for traffic and move away from the gates but they did not listen.

"The police arrested 23 people for public violence and for violating the traffic act," said Opperman.

Eight other striking workers were arrested for allegedly damaging two vehicles belonging to non-striking government employees in Sebokeng on the Vaal.

They were arrested after they reportedly invaded offices of the department of social services in Sebokeng.

An employee at the department whose vehicle was also damaged said there were about 40 people who had returned to work when the incident occurred.

"We were working when we saw a mob of demonstrators approaching our building armed with sticks, knobkerries and sjamboks.

"They overpowered three police officers who were at the entrance door and charged at us. My co-workers and I then fled to the boardroom where we locked ourselves in fearing that they were going to harm us."

Major-General Deliwe de Lange said her members would not hesitate to arrest unruly public servants.

"We are not going to allow anybody to damage any property, intimidate, assault, molest and victimise people."

In Kimberley, Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Cherelle Ehlers said a march in town turned violent yesterday morning.

"Protesters threw out the trash, broke cement bins and blockaded the roads. Thirty-eight people were arrested."

The SA Democratic Teachers Union complained about the Northern Cape police's action, saying it was a "peaceful picket".

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