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Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 2:41 PM
Subject: Farmworkers allegedly assaulted and locked in
safe ================================================================= A distraught farm worker shows some of the injuries they sustained Farmworkers allegedly assaulted and locked in safe January 10, 2004, 05:42 PM Police in the Western Cape are investigating a case against a Porterville farmer after he allegedly assaulted three farmworkers, shocked them on their private parts with a cattle prod and locked them in a safe for about five hours. The farmer was assisted by a police officer and reservist. The incident occurred after the three were accused of stealing goods and jewelry. "The farmer beat me and shocked me all over my body with a cattle prod and the police officer was assisting. They shocked me even in my private parts," says Lesley Moses, one of the victims. Philander Cylon, another victim, says: "They shocked me in the body and put me in a safe. It was dark with no light and no windows and no oxygen. I had to breathe through a space under the door." The Retail Agriculture and Processing Workers Union (Rapwu) has assisted the workers to lay a charge with the police. Boet Immelman, the farmer, has confirmed that charges have been laid against him and claims they were later withdrawn. The union has accused police at Porterville of complicity in handling the case. Sebastian Julian, a Rapwu spokesperson, says: "We opened a case but while the other victim was locked up they had already made him sign a withdrawal form unknowingly before the assault case was even opened.â The union says the case was later opened. Rapwu plans to take the matter up with the area commissioner and will also call for the provincial police minister's intervention. Mzwandile Petros, the Western Cape Police Commissioner, says they are investigating a case of assault to do grievous bodily harm. They will also look into allegations of police complicity and if necessary take action agaisnt any parties involved The
Mulindwas Communication Group
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