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A mass gathering marched through the CBD this morning, 15 March 2021, making its way to the Newcastle Court. A sea of yellow flowing down Murchison Street as the group filed down the busy road.
Musa “Sugar” Thwala, head of Team Sugar South Africa (TSSA), explains the purpose of the march was to make a unified stand, showing their support to those accused of kidnapping and assaulting a factory owner in 2020. The alleged incident took place following textile factory employees voicing their frustrations, accusing factory owners of various transgressions, including not paying their Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) COVID-19 TERS benefit scheme funds.
Initially, the Department of Employment and Labour stepped in to address issues between factory owners and their Newcastle employees in September 2020. During this period, a factory owner was accused of not complying with the necessary regulations, and it was then that a few of her employees allegedly went to “fetch her”. Following the incident, the business owner opened a police case against the said employees.
However, Thwala stated the accused appearing in court are not guilty of the offence. “In the footage, they cannot be seen at the incident, and we are now to support them.”
With the accused facing charges for the crime, Team Sugar was not amused when the case was postponed until 19 July 2021 due to the necessary paperwork apparently not being sent to the required legal officials. “We are not happy with the decision, as these papers were meant to have been sent through six months ago,” Thwala stresses.
He now says his political party will acquire an independent lawyer and call for a meeting with the prosecutor to discuss their concerns. However, local businessman and councillor, Alex Liu points out that he felt this was not a good cause to support, as a crime had been committed. He further states that while it is essential to respect everyone’s constitutional rights, he found it disturbing that several Team Sugar supports stopped people from going to work, which infringed on the affected people’s rights.
With Team Sugar rallying together, Thwala highlights there are a number of indiscretions that need to be addressed in the local textile industry. This excludes the COVID-19 TERS benefit scheme funds not being paid.
He elaborates, “There are people who have worked for businesses for 10 to 15 years, but they don’t get provident or pension funds.”
This is despite the employers allegedly deducting the employees share of the money. Then there are accusations of employees sleeping in factories, an issue which Thwala feels needs to be addressed. “These premises are not meant as residential areas, especially when looking at the number of people sleeping in one room and COVID-19.”
Allegations have also been made that certain factory owners deny their employees healthcare. Thwala claims staff on chronic medication or who are pregnant are not allowed to visit the clinic.
Looking at the seriousness of the situation, he declares, “We are the voice of the employees, and we want to build a relationship between the employees and business owners, so staff are able to voice their concerns and frustrations, and business owners are able to communicate as well.”
Responding to this, Liu stresses, “If this is true, why does he not take the allegations to the Department of Labour or to law enforcement? No one should use these forms of allegations to further their political motives.”
As tensions run high, what are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 1
Power Mr President may God give u a strength to face all sequences you fighting for us as a Tssa n keep u strong always