Port Elizabeth – A person believed to be on strike from Transnet’s Ngqura container terminal, outside Port Elizabeth, has been arrested, the company said on Thursday.
“(The arrested worker has been) connected with the spate of bombings, arson, and thuggery targeted at Transnet employees who chose not to join the union’s industrial action,” Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela said in a statement.
Transnet claimed the arrested person was affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).
Numsa members have been on strike for over six weeks at the terminal over transport allowances, working hours for particular tasks, and the use of labour brokers.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Thembi Gwe confirmed an arrest had been made in connection with the strike, but could not immediately provide further details.
Numsa regional secretary Phumzile Nodongwe said he could not confirm whether the person arrested was a union member.
“We have not received any news as Numsa, we are only hearing about it in the media so it is very difficult to confirm.”
Sigonyela said the union represented less than half a percent of its staff.
Transnet had stepped up security around its workers, their families, and property after at least 35 acts of violence and intimidation, including arson, since the strike began…
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