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Freight and logistics group Transnet has accused striking National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members of “renewed intimidation, violence and acts of thuggery” against Transnet workers who have chosen not to take part in a strike by the union at Transnet’s Ngqura container terminal, in the Eastern Cape, which started on April 25.
The parastatal said in a statement that ten “coordinated attacks” against nonstriking employees had occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, which saw homes being petrol-bombed and two vehicles being torched.
“The latest incidents take the number of such attacks to a shocking 28 since the union, which represents between 100 and 150 of Transnet’s over 60 000 workers, downed tools on April 25. The majority of our [employees] do not belong to Numsa,” the company said.
Friday morning’s attacks followed the stoning of two houses on Thursday belonging to nonstriking workers, taking the total number of “acts of intimidation” to 12 since Numsa vowed to intensify its action against the company on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, Numsa organised a mass meeting in one of Port Elizabeth’s townships, where it vowed to intensify action against Transnet,” Transnet noted, adding that the union was “far from meeting the minimum thresholds for recognition” at the company.
“Transnet condemns in the strongest possible terms the resumption of acts of thuggery, violence and lawlessness against our colleagues who are exercising their right not to take part in the five-week-old strike action.”
All incidents had been reported to the police and Transnet, working with the provincial police commissioner, had heightened security at all its facilities in the area to protect its employees.
“Transnet has offered a reward of R100 000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrators. This offer still stands and we urge our colleagues and members of the public to use this opportunity,” it said.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Transnet announced that, as of June 1, employees at its terminals in the Eastern Cape were now directly employed by the company.
This followed a Transnet-wide decision over six months ago to “do away with” labour brokers in its core operations, following a consultative process with the leadership of its recognised unions – the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and the United Transport Trade Union/South African Railways and Harbour Union (UTATU-SARHWU) alliance.
Meanwhile,the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) and UTATU-SARHWU released a joint statement on Friday saying it condemned the "acts of violence and petrol bombings" against Transnet workers in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth.
"These violent acts and petrol bomb attacks on Transnet workers started after Numsa failed to secure organisational rights, as the union has insufficient representation. Fedusa and UTATU-SARHWU are concerned that this could lead to family members and workers being killed or injured," commented Fedusa general secretary Dennis George.
UTATU-SARHWU general secretary Steve Harris added that the attacks appeared to be part of a coordinated "campaign of terror" intended to intimidate workers.
Fedusa said it had written a letter to Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko asking him to deploy a special task team to investigate the recent violence to prevent the loss of life and damage to property.
"It is important for the police to intervene in these violent acts and to bring the perpetrators before the courts to be prosecuted," said George.
Numsa was not available for comment on Friday.