Pretoria - Transnet has strongly condemned acts of violence and intimidation during the protest action at the Ngqura Container Terminal.
“The workers, who are members of Numsa [National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa] at the terminal, have been on a no-work, no-pay strike since 25 April 2014.
“Houses and properties belonging to our colleagues who have chosen not to take part in the action have been petrol-bombed, stoned, vandalised and burnt in a series of criminal incidents,” said Transnet.
The company said there is a R100 000 reward for information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
Transnet has since heightened security to ensure the safety of workers who have chosen not to participate in the strike action. Heightened security has also been arranged for its assets, as well as assets belonging to third parties on Transnet premises.
The ports and rail operator has reported the incidents to the relevant security agencies and is urging the public to report any incidents of criminal behaviour.
“The action by members of … Numsa is continuing and we are continuously assessing the impact on our operations and customers. We have also implemented a lock-out on all the participating employees, effective from Monday 28 April 2014,” said Transnet.
This means that those who chose to take part in the action will not be allowed to return to work until the union has withdrawn its demands.
Contingency plans have been put in place.
“Although the strike is still on-going, our colleagues affiliated to Transnet’s recognised unions, SATAWU, UTATU and SARWHU, who represent around 80% of our colleagues in the bargaining unit, continue to work,” said Transnet.
Numsa is not one of Transnet’s recognised trade unions, as it does not have sufficient members to qualify for organisational rights.
The Port of Ngqura, which is located in the Eastern Cape, is capable of handling container, dry and liquid bulk vessels. - SAnews.gov.za
