Workers affiliated to trade union Numsa embarked on a violent strike that probably caused millions of rand in damages, from July 2.
Over 600 strikers, mostly wielding dangerous weapons, damaged vehicles and properties, assaulted people and looted several companies.
They forced a shut down at companies in Apex and the Benoni Industrial Sites, threatening to set alight those that do not adhere to the strike.
A seven-months pregnant woman was among those who were assaulted by the strikers this morning (July 3) at a company which does not employ Numsa members.
They gained entry to the premises by smashing the gate, and also stole laptops, cellphones and cash.
The owner who was beaten with a pipe described their behaviour as “barbaric”.
At Barker Performance Products, in Apex, they damaged cars, and broke windows and the electric fence.
Owner Cliff Barker said the strikers threatened to kill the staff if they did not close the company.
Several other companies and security personnel were attacked.
On July 2, local company David Brown Gear Systems suffered damage amounting to over R1 500 000 after being attacked by strikers.
While marching along Birmingham Street, strikers ripped out the gate of David Brown Gear Systems and forcefully entered the premises.
The company’s CEO, Mark Field, said they damaged quite a few machines and computers and looted laptops and tools.
“They threatened to burn the building if we did not get out in 15 minutes,” Field said, adding that a truck driver parked outside was also assaulted and his truck’s windscreen was smashed.
Field called their behaviour “unacceptable”, and said he will be laying a charge with the police and a complaint against the police.
What boggles the minds of all the victims is that police just watched and did nothing.
No one has been arrested.
EMPD spokesman Vusi Mabanga said Metro Police were deployed in the Benoni industrial area after strikers pelted cars with stones, but by the time the police arrived at the scene, the damage had already been done.
He added that strikers threw stones at cars parked inside company premises as they marched through the streets.
However, the Benoni police reported that the march was peaceful in the CBD.
Workers are demanding a 12 per cent increase.
Criminal Damage and Assault etc is not part of a strike, a strike is picketing and staying away from work full stop. Any criminal activity should be treated as such and dealt with severely. These strikers are just taking advantage of the situation and committing crimes that they wouldn’t normally get away with, having fun destroying other people property and threatening lives. WHY ARE THE POLICE NOT DOING ANYTHING? This is the problem whoever these people work for should never allow themselves to employ such criminals back into their workplace and the perpetraters should be by LAW put in jail where they belong…SORRY but this is what would happen anywhere else in the world. Have these people gone bloody crazy and the cops just sit in their luxury cars watching!!!>>>??? At the taxpayers EXPENSE!!!!! No wonder we have a very very weak RAND, the rest of the world have no confidence in this country at this terrible period in our history………..mind boggling!!
From 1st hand experience on Wednesday the 2nd of July 2014, myself and my wife were attacked in our offices by plus minus 100 barbarians, in Lea Rd Dunswart throwing bricks and rocks, through the burglar proofing and using 4 and 10 pound hammers breaking all our windows, trying to force them selves to gain entry into our workshop, without success they continued down the street and attacked two helpless security guards cutting one of their hands off with a punga while police watched them and did nothing to the strikers. Most of the strikers are not even working in the industry as they are the Jung ones that is the violent ones, we must all stand together and show them they can not get away with this violence.
Close the companies permanently, and thus get rid of the entire workforce.
Start new enterprises a bit later on, and be more selective with employee selection.
Bunch of animals!! Demand a increase yet you can’t even work? No work no pay buddy!!!! Last time I checked animals don’t get paid… Pathetic!
The ownners of bussinesses must keep Numsa responsible for all damages and make them pay for everything, make one hell of a courtcase against them, let them suffer the damages of their barbaric strickers, and shoot the basterds if they keep on damaging property.
And not a single comment on any social media page, webpage, newspaper page from the cowards /bullies themselves NUMSA!
Numsa should take responsibility for the damages caused to company property and the employees that have been violated… What they don’t consider is that after all these damages and stopping production some companies wont be able to afford to stay open , and those workers will no longer have a job…
Strikes are suppose to be peaceful protests , but clearly none of them were educated about this at all….
And what the hell is up with setting a dog alight , what on earth did the poor dog have to do with the strike ?Its a innocent animal that is probably afraid, calling these people animals is an insult to animals!!!
Police should be arresting these people, how is it that they get away with it?
Pathetic ….