‘They are forcing us to employ them’- disgruntled business owner
The Zama Zama group which is making rounds in Alrode South factories is intensifying their act and desperate businesses plead for local SAPS’ urgent intervention.
With the rate of unemployment continuing to rise, the Zama Zama group is intensifying their act by continuing to make rounds in Alrode South, by now issuing businesses with a compliance notice with the hope to secure employment.
However, their way of seeking employment is described as intimidating to employers as the group frequently travels in large numbers.
They have been making rounds in factories in the area, demanding employment for a while now.
The group has issued a compliance notice to several businesses in the area, stressing their demands from business owners.
Demands and expectations
In the letter, they demand that businesses ‘put South Africans first’ and the youth in particular, when hiring. They demand that low-earning jobs be reserved and given to South Africans – giving businesses two days to comply with their notice.
Business owner, Cassie Odendaal, who has operated in the area for 22 years, said he also had first-hand experience with the group that served him with the notice.
“The group issued a compliance notice to me on March 8. In the letter, they say we should employ South Africa’s youth first and then work according to labour law. They’re forcing us to employ them. How can I employ someone violent to me? They are still stopping people from going to work,” he explained.
Odendaal said this group is creating ‘big havoc’ in Alrode South and this is a big problem in the area.
“I’ve got a plastic plant and have half foreigners and half South Africans working here. All foreign nationals are documented and after seeing their documents, the police were happy. Just recently, the crowd attacked them. They hit one lady and took her cellphone. I opened a case at the police,” he said.
In January, he said the group stormed his place and as he started recording a video, they looked away.
“They started throwing rocks at us. They pelted my new bakkie with rocks and stoned us for about a minute before running away. It’s a big problem in the area and they’re targeting certain businesses,” he explained.
Much-needed intervention
Warrant Officer Gerhard Cornelius, Brackendowns SAPS spokesperson said: “We are definitely on standby. If anything should happen we are ready to react, we will take the necessary precautions and laws if these guys step out of line or if they commit any crime. We are monitoring the situation and doing patrols in the area.”
He said SAPS’ Area Crime Combatting Unit and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department are also on high alert.
