The violence, thuggery and intimidation that has accompanied the industrial action at the Ngqura Container Terminal has been condemned by Transnet in the strongest possible terms.

Siyabulela Mhlaluka, GM: Eastern Cape Terminals, says, “The workers, who are members of NUMSA at the terminal, have been on a no-work-no-pay strike since 25th April 2014.”

“Houses and properties belonging to our colleagues who have chosen not to take part in the action have been petrol-bombed, stoned, vandalised and burnt in a series of criminal incidents. This is unacceptable and we have heightened our security to ensure the safety of our colleagues, those who have chosen not to take part in the strike action, our assets, and the assets of third parties on our premises.”

“We have reported all the incidents to the relevant security agencies and members of the public are encouraged to report any incidents of criminal behaviour. In addition, Transnet has committed a R100 000 reward for information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.”

Transnet is continuously assessing the impact on its operations and customers. The state owned enterprise has also implemented a lock-out on all the participating employees, effective from Monday 28 April 2014. This means that those who chose to take part in the action will not be allowed to return to work until the union has withdrawn its demands.

Contingency plans have been activated, including a command centre, which is staffed by Transnet executives. These are intended to ensure that there is minimum disruption to all port users and customers.

Although the strike is still ongoing employees affiliated to Transnet’s recognised unions, SATAWU and UTATU SARWHU, who represent around 80% of the workforce at the Port of Ngqura in the bargaining unit, continue to work.

NUMSA is not one of our recognised trade unions as it does not have sufficient members to qualify for organizational rights.

The Port of Ngqura, which is located in the Eastern Cape, is capable of handling container, dry and liquid bulk vessels.