Victory for North West farm workers

Johannesburg - Cosatu in North West on Thursday welcomed a Mmabatho High Court judgment in favour of farm workers and farm dwellers.

"[We] believe the judgment is a lesson for those intransigent councils who believe that human dignity and lives are nothing," provincial Congress of SA Trade Unions secretary Solly Phetoe said.

The group was evicted from Boshoek, between Sun City and Rustenburg, by the Royal Bafokeng and the Rustenburg municipality, the two respondents in the matter.

The trade union federation called on the Royal Bafokeng to respect the judgment and carry out the order that the houses of all farm workers and farm dwellers be rebuilt within three days.

The judgment also instructed the respondents to ensure that running water and electricity to the houses was reconnected, according to Phetoe.

He said they argued that the demolition of their houses was unnecessary, as many had been staying in the area for more than 20 years.