The Federation is horrified by the brutal killing of Moeletsi Sedi, a young worker who was reported to have been mauled to death by pit bulls owned by his employer at his workplace, Eagle Roofs in Rustenburg on the 6th of April. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has met with Mr. Sedi’s family to offer our support during this tragic period.
We demand urgent action by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The owner of these pit bulls needs to be held accountable for this tragic death and charged with criminal negligence and culpable homicide. The family and dependents of Mr. Sedi must be compensated for this painful loss.
Action needs to be taken with regards to pit bulls. All too often the nation has been traumatised by the horrific attacks on and killing of workers and children and the elderly by pit bulls. This breed is genetically bred and predisposed to being highly aggressive. Owners must be held accountable. We need to make the long overdue decision to ban the breeding of this breed, spade existing pit bulls and prohibit future ownership sales and ownership.
COSATU will be organising a march to the company Eagle Roofs in Rustenburg on Friday 26 April to deliver a memorandum on a package of urgent interventions to demand the:
- SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) take immediate action and arrest, charge and prosecute the company owner.
- South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigate the prevalence of such abuses.
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals and the Minister for Agriculture to ban the ownership and breeding of pit bulls.
- The owner of Eagle Roofs and the Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases to pay what is due for the loss of Mr. Sedi’s future earnings to his dependents.
The march will commence from 10h00 Friday 26 April at the Shell Garage on the R24 to Eagle Roofs opposite Waterfall Mall, Rustenburg.
COSATU will hand over a memorandum demanding immediate action to the SAPS, NPA, SAHRC, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Compensation Fund and the SPCA.
The Federation will stand firm with the Sedi family to ensure they are compensated for this terrible tragedy. We cannot sit idly by each year whilst workers and children subjected to these violent deaths.
Issued by COSATU.
For more information, please contact:
Kopano Konopi(COSATU North West Provincial Secretary)
Cell: 082 339 5836