The labour dispute between the government and public servants is hurting the poorest of the poor who are the only ones being affected.

The labour dispute between the government and public servants is hurting the poorest of the poor who are the only ones being affected.

They rely on public clinics and hospitals and their children use public schools.

The strike has little or no impact on the rich, including cabinet members, politicians and state officials.

The government should remember that not respecting human life is a gross violence of our constitution. Transparency is equally important, so the state must tell us how many people have died in public hospitals during the strike.

Police brutality must also be condemned. Rubber bullets and water cannons have been used on strikers. The government's justification is that strikers intimidate those who want to work, but there is no evidence to substantiate this claim. The government must stop its cheap propaganda and deal with the challenges that are threatening our democracy. The police must use their energy to fight crime.

These actions are tainting the country's image internationally. People should start worrying when peaceful protesters are attacked for no reason.

It is also very worrying that the Human Rights Commission has said nothing about the violations of the protesters rights.

The president must break his silence and intervene before our democracy is damaged any further.

Sizwe Myeyiso, Johannesburg