Grievances not heard

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Members of the Trade Union Security Organisation (Tuso) marched from Thembalethu along Nelson Mandela Boulevard to the Department of Labour offices on Friday 9 November to hand over a memorandum of grievances against their Cape Town-based employer company, District Law Enforcement.

The workers accuse the company of nepotism, fraud and corruption. They say their employer doesn't care about their working conditions and as security guards they lack the necessary equipment to do their jobs, such as uniforms, weapons, and proper site shelters.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, regional chairman of Tuso Athi Mantshongo said they wrote to Themba Gunuza, the CEO of District Law Enforcement, to complain about their area manager whom they accuse of nepotism, favouritism and fraud, but he didn't take action.

"He even employs people who are not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA). After we told Gunuza about this, he didn't take action about this, he just instructed the area manager to chase us away, all the members of the union," said Mantshongo. The memorandum also includes accusations of assault at work that haven't been followed up. The memorandum was received by Rian Pienaar who said he would forward it to his bosses and discuss the issue. Tuso members gave Pienaar seven days to respond.

George Herald spoke with Gunuza over the phone when the matter was brought to our attention a few weeks ago.

Gunuza promised to address the issue and speak to the workers by the first week of November. However, he didn't come back to George Herald and the workers also allege that he never addressed them. George Herald tried to contact Gunuza after the march, without any luck.

Security guards make their way to the labour department.