Operations have returned to normal at the port of Richards Bay following protests and damage to port and police property by striking workers yesterday. Workers were protesting their working conditions at the port.
“Striking workers are no longer within the premises of the port,” Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) spokesperson at the port, Mfundo Mdwandwe, said.
He told FTW Online that operations had returned to normal as of midday yesterday so there was “no major impact” to port customers.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 16 workers for “public violence and malicious damage to property”. Spokesperson for Saps, Major Thulani Zwane, confirmed that the workers would appear in the Richards Bay magistrates court today.
The protests, captured on video, saw several police vehicles vandalised and road barriers destroyed. Zwane said the striking workers used earthmoving equipment to overturn police vehicles.
“Police fired shots at the earth-moving machines in their attempt to keep them at bay, without success,” he said.
To view video footage of the protests provided by the Zululand Observer, click here.
