The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) condemns in the strongest terms the murder of two innocent workers at Rea Vaya bus services. A bus driver was killed in Protea Glen in Soweto, and another was shot in Mapetla in Soweto. Both drivers were killed whilst on duty. NUMSA sends its deepest condolences to the families of Sam Slinder and Rhendane Tshilande whose lives were cut short by merciless criminals. It cannot be that workers are killed simply for doing their job. We demand that both PioTrans and Litsamaiso, which are the companies with the operating licence to run Rea Vaya, as well as the MMC for transport and the City of Joburg must urgently take steps to guarantee the safety of workers.
According to media reports the South African Police Services have not yet made arrests on this matter. We are calling on them to prioritize this case and find the cowardly criminals who murdered these poor workers.
PioTrans is currently under business rescue and as a result of this the payment of all benefits has been suspended. Part of the problem is that the management was deducting money for provident fund but was not paying it over to the service provider. Our members are concerned that there will be no death benefits paid to the families of these workers, following this shocking murder. As NUMSA we are calling on the City to act decisively to ensure that workers are protected, and that any benefits which are due to them, must be paid. They cannot be expected to continue to offer a service and yet their benefits are being withheld from them.The busses are insured but the lives of workers are not and this is unforgivable.
To make matters worse, the business rescue process is dragging. PioTrans was placed under business rescue in December 2023 and it has not been concluded as yet. It seems the business rescue practitioners are deliberately extending this process so that they can milk it for the fees, and we condemn them for this as well. Whilst they are enriching themselves, our members fear for their lives. We demand that the business rescue process must be speedily concluded. Workers are fearful and they have every right to demand that their safety is guaranteed.
At the same time, in the North West nine busses belonging to the North West transport Investment (NTI) company were set alight. And in a separate incident, 51 Putco busses were set alight last week in Mpumalanga. Surely, this cannot be simply a coincidence? It seems there is clearly some form of targeted criminal sabotage taking place and it is being organized by people with a nefarious agenda. As a union we are also concerned about the implications for the long terms sustainability of the bus passenger sector when so many busses are being deliberately vandalized, because it can also threaten jobs.
The SAPS must take these incidents seriously, especially because workers lives are on the line. If this is allowed to continue it may lead to passengers being harmed as well. We demand urgent swift action in order to find those who are responsible, and restore law and order.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of NUMSA
For more information, please contact:
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
NUMSA National Spokesperson
0833767725
NUMSA Head Office number: 0116891700
NUMSA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NumsaSocial
NUMSA Twitter account: @Numsa_Media
NUMSA Website: https://numsa.org.za/
NUMSA Website: https://numsa.org.za/
PDF DOWNLOAD: NUMSA sends its deepest condolences to the families of the two bus drivers who were murdered
