The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions deplores the hijacking of Vicky Phetoe, the wife of COSATU North West Provincial Secretary, Solly Phetoe. At around 18h00 she was driving from a gym in Brits when, at a stop sign, three masked men forced their way into the back of her car and forced her at knife point to drive to a forest 15-20 kilometres away.

There they took her cell phone, jewellery, watch and gym clothes, but decided not to take the car when they realised it was fitted with Tracker. They then abandoned Vicky and the car, after debating whether they should kill her, rape her or leave her. She was able to drive to a friend's house and phone her husband who called the police.

Fortunately Vicky is not physically injured but has received trauma counselling. We send her and the family our best wishes at this difficult time.

Comrade Solly Phetoe has campaigned tirelessly against corruption and racism in the North West Province and is a champion of workers' rights, including the workers who have been employed under labour brokers for four years under the Matlosana Municipality Mayoral Project.

As a result he has received many threats, the most recent the day before the hijacking, Wednesday 13 January, when the Matlosana Project Co-ordinator allegedly said: "We are going to deal with him (Solly)".

Ominously, one of the police officers who arrived at the crime scene commented to Vicky that "Your husband is talking too much". All those who have been making threats must now be treated as suspects in what appears to be a planned attack. It is particularly deplorable that such attackers should attack a family member. COSATU demands that the police spare no effort to arrest the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.