Claims of violence and vandalism unsubstantiated – Union
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africans (Numsa) condemned spurious accusations made by employers that striking members were involved in acts of intimidation and vandalism.
In a media statement released on Thursday afternoon, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africans (Numsa) condemned spurious accusations made by employers that striking members were involved in acts of intimidation and vandalism.
“We do not take these unsubstantiated accusations lightly. They are just part of a cheap ploy by the employers to undermine the integrity of our struggle for a living wage and improved conditions of employment,” said the national spokesperson for the union, Mr Castro Ngobese.
He added that no amount of false propaganda and slanderous accusations by employers will undermine the strike.
On Friday, Eastleigh businessman, Mr Conrad Van Deventer, was attacked by striking workers.
According to Mr Van Deventer, the attack took place after he attempted to capture the unruly behaviour of striking workers on camera.
“When one of the men saw me filming them, he and a friend walked across the road and confronted me,” he said.
The two men were soon joined by what Mr Van Deventer described as 60 to 70 other protesting workers.
“They hit me over the head with a stick before one of them took my phone and ran away. Another striker tried to strangle me,” he said.
Mr Van Deventer added that another striking worker then hit him across his shoulders with a cattle whip.
He was then told he was not allowed to record the striking workers and was forced to delete the footage.
Mr Van Deventer said he will be laying a charge of assault against the workers.
Yesterday, there were reports that several Edenvale businesses were vandalised by striking workers.
“Our members remain firm and resolute on their demands for a living wage, as opposed to the colonial apartheid poverty wages that employers want to retain and reproduce in the industry,” said Mr Ngobese.
“Since the commencement of the strike, our members have exercised high levels of discipline and maturity in line with the union’s disciplinary code of conduct. The union’s strike committee is satisfied with the overall discipline and performance of our striking members. No evidence has been provided to us to show that our members have acted outside the ambit of the law,” he added.
Demands set by Numsa on behalf of its members include a one year bargaining agreement and a 15 percent wage increase across the board.
“As long as employers are not conceding to these reasonable demands, the strike continues indefinitely,” said Mr Ngobese.
The acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, condemned the violent behaviour by striking workers.
“We will under no circumstances allow violent behaviour,” he said.
Lt Col Roberts also warned residents and business owners to not interfere with striking workers.
“Very often taking videos and photographs of striking workers is seen as a means of intimidation and can lead to aggression. If you see striking workers, stay away from them and rather report violent behaviour to our sector vehicle reaction officers,” said Lt Col Roberts.
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