THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has called on the police to work speedily in locating the unknown suspects who shot and killed one of their employees, Thembinkosi Mdoda.
"He was shot on the way to work by unknown assailants. What is most disturbing is that they didn't take anything. Numsa condemns the cowardly thugs. We demand that the SAPS must act and arrest the people who murdered him," Numsa's general secretary Irvin Jim said.
Jim revealed that Thembinkosi, a Numsa shop steward at the Algoa Bus Company in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape was murdered in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 16 April.
Reacting to the death, Jim expressed his dismay at the violent nature of the country.
"Numsa has lost a highly respected and courageous leader of the union. His passing is a major loss to shop stewards and workers because he was very experienced, and he led many struggles on the shop floor in defence of workers.
"We shall miss his determination and his drive to ensure that workers' interests are defended at all times. Hamba kahle, qabane, usebenzile."
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Thembinkosi was the regional chairman of the bus passenger sector in the Eastern Cape. He also served as the national bargaining representative in the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council
Jim said the Eastern Cape region has been meeting with his family and is co-ordinating the funeral arrangements.
A memorial service will be held at Kwazakhele High School in Gqeberha on Monday, 22 April at 5pm.
A prayer service will be held for his colleagues at his home in France township on Tuesday, 23 April.
Thembinkosi's final resting place will be in his home village of Thamarha in Qonce, King William's Town on Sunday, 28 April.
