Freight logistics group Transnet on Thursday extended the suspension of the lockout on striking workers at the Ngqura container terminal for a further 24 hours.
The group had initially suspended the lockout on striking workers from 06:00 on Wednesday to 06:00 on Thursday “on humanitarian grounds”, saying that some striking workers had volunteered to abandon the seven-week National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa- (Numsa-) led industrial action.
“Transnet recognises that the strike has had a devastating impact on our colleagues’ families, especially their finances and, as a result, is taking every opportunity to facilitate their return to work and earning a living,” it said in a statement on Thursday.
About 100 Numsa members were participating in the strike, which has had only a limited impact on operations at the terminal.
The strike has been characterised by violence, with Transnet reporting that at least 35 coordinated acts of intimidation and violence against nonstriking workers had been recorded.
“The acts have included [petrol] bomb attacks, arson, and intimidation, including [the] burning of cars,” the group stated.
It added that the Eastern Cape police had now arrested a Numsa member, who was allegedly involved in the “spate of bombings, arson and thuggery”. Transnet was confident that more arrests would be made.
In the meantime, the group has offered a R10 000 reward to anyone who provided information that led to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.