Violent strikers petrol bomb company in Vulcania (video)
Workers affiliated to trade union Numsa went on a violent rampage in Vulcania on Wednesday.
Striking union members — many armed with sticks and other weapons — blocked roads and caused chaos in the area, threatening non-striking employees and causing damage to many properties.
One company situated along Molecule Road, Vulcania Reinforcing, was subjected to particularly turbulent acts of violence and the premises were petrol bombed.
“There was about 50 or 60 of them, they’ve destroyed the windows, cars and attempted to burn the transformer with a petrol bomb,” said Adam Greve from Vulcania Reinforcing.
“The members started with the sabotage process by throwing rocks through the office windows and the bakkie which was left in the parking lot.
“The panic in the office was heightened by the screams of ‘petrol bomb’.
“Immediately our attention was turned to ensuring the women were safe.
“We then disregarded the safety of our external environment.
“This is when the members had made their way into the transformer station where they attempted to burn the electrical box which powers our entire factory.
“Luckily the rebar and production manager attended to the fire in time to rescue it from any further damage.”
Greve told the Herald that staff members, especially women, were terrified.
“They completely disregarded the laws of peaceful striking by damaging our property and attempting to burn our livelihood down,” he said.
“We have the right to work just as much as they have the right to strike.”
The strikers have returned every day since and have been just as violent.
“The members then attempted a second time to burn our transformer down the day after,” said Greve.
“They brought bolt cutters and cut the chain and lock off which we used to try securing the unit.
“The police force did nothing except try to record the members with their cellphones.
“Their excuse? We are not trained in handling large crowds.”
Greve added he had heard security guards at another company were held at gunpoint.
He posted a video to YouTube of the workers causing damage to the premises.
While Brakpan police have been monitoring the area, the Herald has requested comment from the SAPS regarding Greve’s allegations.
Numsa embarked on a nationwide strike on Tuesday.
Workers are demanding a 12 per cent salary increase across the board.
Photo gallery: Strikers go on the rampage
Have you got any updates on the Jasmin Pretorius court case?
Unfortunately the Brakpan police are the last people you need to call if you are in trouble.
Rather take the law into your own hands. Since we did just that, the police praise us for our positive results in sorting out problems we had.
It really is ridiculous but thats how the police work. They do not come to active crime scenes unfortunately.