STATE-owned enterprise Transnet apologised to customers who were inconvenienced by a security officers and cleaners protest that locked down the second tallest skyscraper in Mzansi, Carlton Centre.
This as the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, was approaching in a couple of hours.
The workers are protesting against exploitation, and they want to be insourced because they don’t have benefits such as provident fund and UIF.
The workers told Daily Sun they want to be insourced by Transnet, which owns the iconic building.
They accused the company of allowing exploitation by security companies to happen under its watch.
On Thursday, 23 November Daily Sun was informed that police came in big numbers.
“They came in big numbers telling us to leave, and they said they have court interdict, but they couldn’t produce it,” said one security officers, Sylvia Poppy.
Sylvia said they slept in the building and would do so again until a deal between them and Transnet was signed.
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Transnet spokeswoman Mandisa Mzizi initially refused to comment on the protest, only saying they would respond with a statement.
Moments later Daily Sun received a response from Transnet, saying: “Transnet management and representatives of the employees are engaged in discussions to speedily resolve the matter and allow normal operations to resume as soon as possible.
“The employees are complaining of alleged unfair treatment from the contractors. Transnet expects all its contractors to comply with all the laws of the country, especially the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Transnet apologises for any inconvenience caused,” said the statement.
The statement said developments on this matter will be communicated in due course.
Consumers who waited outside hoping the building would be open said they were disappointed they could not do their shopping.
Ntombi Dlamini, who works in the CBD, said it was disappointing not being able to access the premises.
“They are playing with us. They should let us do what we need to do. I don’t even know what the strike is about,” she said.
Shopper Nompumelelo Sikhakane said she wanted to pay her lay buys.
“I decided just to stand here waiting for someone, but my plan was to pay for my lay-buy before Black Friday to avoid the big crowd,” she said.
However, she was in support of the protesting staff.
“They are fighting for their families not to go hungry. I hope in the end they will get what they want.”
By 3pm, many store workers remained outside the building while police were on high alert.
