-----Original Message----- From: david hemson <dhemson at pixie.udw.ac.za> To: debate at sunsite.wits.ac.za <debate at sunsite.wits.ac.za> Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 8:10 AM Subject: DEBATE: DOCKERS APPEAL
>
>Dockers defence campaign
>
>APPEAL FOR SUPPORT!
>
>ASSASSINATION OF LEADER OF DURBAN DOCK WORKERS
>
>
>Vusi Mbeje, a leading shop steward in the National Dock Labour Scheme in
>Durban was assassinated at 10.30pm on Thursday, 9 March. Vusi was a member
>of the committee of worker leaders in the labour pool and a leader in the
>Service Employees Industrial Union representing dock workers in Durban
>which is the main port of South Africa and the largest container port in
>the southern hemisphere.
>
>He was killed at the gates of the pool in Maydon Wharf by an assassin who
>pumped two bullets into his chest while he sat at the steering wheel of the
>pool's truck.
>
>Together with the other committee members, Vusi has been one of the most
>active leaders in the battle against the theft of union subscriptions and
>for workers' democracy in the port.
>
>Vusi's name was the first workers' signature on a list of signatories to a
>letter to the management of the pool. The letter instructed management to
>deposit cheques of union subs into the union account and stated that the
>practice of providing cash cheques to one of the organisers should end.
>Altogether it is estimated that R357 000 (about $60 000) of the workers
>subscriptions cannot be accounted for. There has been strong resistance
>from this organiser to workers' financial control. Vusi was a leader in the
>campaign to bring union finances under worker management. Since his
>assassination death threats have been made to the other signatories who are
>now daily at risk.
>
>Vusi was one of the strongest and most strategic leaders of the dockers. He
>was young, capable, and confident. He handled relationships with members
>and officials without fear or favour. Through the respect he has among the
>workers he resolved a number of disputes on the ships. He dealt with
>management confidently and firmly. He had a position in the pool involving
>great responsibility and was entrusted with such tasks as transporting cash
>to make up shortfalls in weekly wages. He was a stickler for timekeeping,
>scolding officials and others who were minutes late for meetings. He had a
>tremendous potential for leadership and was to be nominated to stand as a
>councilor for the ANC in Umlazi H Section.
>
>Vusi had premonitions of his assassination. Shortly before he was killed he
>told ANC comrades in H Section in Umlazi that if he died it would be the
>result of the stand he was taking against union corruption and collusion
>with employers. His family is demanding that the murderers be exposed and
>punished.
>
>Unfortunately the South African police have taken no action in the case of
>the theft of worker subscriptions despite having full knowledge of the
>issues from 18 February. Appeals have been made for action to the Attorney
>General of the province and to the Control Prosecutor of Durban magistrates
>courts but without result. As was often spelt out by supporters of the
>Campaign, this indifference by the state opened the road to assassination.
>
>Justice for working people in Durban and elsewhere is bounded by a police
>force which is not only often indifferent to their needs but as recent
>scandals have demonstrated, at times directly involved in heists,
>intimidation and murder in the communities they 'serve'. Police
>investigations are often haphazard and casual: it is not unheard of for
>dockets to be lost. Crime affecting working people has a low priority.
>KwaZulu-Natal province also has a history of hit squads and professional
>killings. Successful prosecutions are 1 in 20 of murders reported.
>
>The workers want the investigation into Vusi's murder to be energetically
>undertaken. In addition terror against worker leaders is continuing as
>phone calls have been received at the pool threatening the other
>signatories of the letter by name. The worker leaders have to be protected.
>
>The Dockers Defence Campaign has been launched to conduct a worker-directed
>investigation into Vusi's horrific murder. The Campaign is made up of union
>activists and socialists and is appealing for funds nationally and
>internationally for legal and other expenses to make this possible.
>
>We urgently need your help! The worker leaders of the Durban dockers are
>now working under threat of their lives.
>
>
>
>Please send message of support to:
>DOCKERS DEFENCE CAMPAIGN
>P.O. Box 181131
>DALBRIDGE 4014
>DURBAN
>
>
>Further information from David Hemson: dhemson at pixie.udw.ac.za
>
>Dr David Hemson
>Social Policy Program
>M Block
>University of Durban-Westville
>Private Bag X54001
>DURBAN 4000
>
>Phone: 27 31 204 4752 or 204 4670
>Fax: 27 31 204 4535
>