South Africa strike raises jitters

A South African police officer was injured on Wednesday during a wildcat strike at a soccer stadium work site, raising fears that labour disputes could disrupt the nation's preparations to host the 2010 World Cup.

Some 1,000 workers, many affiliated to the National Union of Mineworkers, downed tools at Cape Town's Green Point stadium to demand better benefits. Some threw stones and bricks when police tried to break up the protest.

"The strike will continue until our demands are met. We will strike to Kingdom come," said Mzulula Madolo, a worker who took part in the protest.

It was the second time in the past month that workers at Green Point, one of 10 South African stadiums being built or refurbished for 2010, had participated in an illegal strike.

South Africa World Cup organisers are under intense pressure to ensure all the stadiums and other preparations for the tournament are completed in time and they have played down the prospect that powerful labour unions could delay or block the work.