AfriForum submitted a formal request to the National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega, today for an action plan stipulating how the SAPS will ensure the safety of communities and their assets against strikers. This request was submitted because the incident at Marikana has apparently made the police reluctant to act against violent strikers.
 
"It seems that Marikana has made the police afraid to act against these strikers. AfriForum wants to know why strikers are openly allowed to become violent and do damage to property. We also want to know how many of these criminals are prosecuted," Ian Cameron, AfriForum spokesperson, said.
 
According to AfriForum violent strikes are a trend in South Africa. AfriForum said that damage to state and private assets become taxpayers' problem. SAPS should enforce stricter control over the strikers and ensure the social welfare of the country.
 
During the past year, strikes by inter alia miners, petrol attendants, security guards and truck drivers have destabilized South Africa's economy and social wellbeing.
 
Cameron explained that trade unions such as AMCU are using political ideology to get the upper hand over the police.
 
Crime Stats SA website shows that 1 782 cases of public violence have been reported to the police in the past year. It’s the highest since 2004 where only 979 cases were reported. “Since 2009 there has been a drastic increase in public violence, which shows that the police cannot uphold public discipline. It is imperative that the police continue to maintain law and order. They are responsible for the safeguarding of ordinary citizens and their property," Cameron said.
 
"Taxpayers cannot keep on footing the bill for damages which could have been prevented by the state."
 
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