Eastern Cape police have arrested and charged a member of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) connected with the spate of bombings, arson and thuggery targeting Transnet employees who chose not to join the union’s industrial action. The arrest is the culmination of an ongoing investigation led by the police’s tactical response team and the Motherwell SAPS, with assistance from Transnet’s own specialised security personnel.
The Numsa member, a striking employee at the Ngqura Container Terminal, is currently in police custody and is cooperating fully with the investigators. “As a result, we are confident that the police are close to rounding up all the perpetrators of recent violent acts against our colleagues,” a Transnet spokesman said.
Now in its seventh week, the strike has had minimal impact on operations, he said.
It has been characterised by violence, resulting in at least 35 coordinated acts of intimidation and violence against those not on strike. The acts have included bomb attacks, arson, and intimidation, including burning of cars.
The labour court has ordered Numsa to stop the violence.
Meanwhile, Transnet on Thursday decided to extend the suspension of the lockout on striking employees for a further 24 hours. “Sttaff members previously on strike flocked to the terminal volunteering to abandon Numsa,” the spokesman said.
“The decision, taken on Tuesday, followed pleas from a significant number of the just over 100 colleagues on strike for the company to allow them to abandon the industrial action.”
The suspension of the lockout was originally limited to the 24 hours starting Wednesday at 06h00, until Thursday 06h00.
Numsa striker arrested over Ngqura violence
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