Photo by: Duane Daws
A second person has been arrested in connection with a spate of violent acts committed against Transnet employees at the Ngqura container terminal, the freight and logistics group reported on Friday.
About 100 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members were taking part in the seven-week strike at the container terminal, with Transnet noting that the industrial action had been characterised by violence, with at least 35 coordinated acts of intimidation and violence against nonstriking workers having been recorded.
“The acts have included [petrol] bomb attacks, arson and intimidation, including [the] burning of cars,” the group had previously indicated.
According to Transnet, the South African Police Service on Thursday arrested one Numsa member, who was allegedly involved in the “spate of bombings, arson and thuggery”.
The group was offering a R10 000 reward to anyone who provided information leading to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Transnet has welcomed the move by “a large number” of striking employees to abandon the strike and return to work.
This followed the temporary suspension of the lockout of striking employees on Wednesday and Thursday.