The United Association of South Africa (Uasa) has accused Transnet of intimidation after a witness in a disciplinary case against 14 of its members was arrested during the hearing in Johannesburg on Friday.
The man, who had been called to testify in defence of 16 Transnet employees, was arrested by police during a recess in the hearings. He was arrested on charges of fraud, unrelated to the disciplinary hearing.
Uasa legal officer Advocate Leon Pretorius said police officers were waiting outside the boardroom of the Transnet housing offices in the Carlton Centre.
”We don’t object to the arrest, but to the timing of the arrest,” Pretorius said. ”The way in which it was done was most intimidating and will discourage other witnesses to testify too. The union says intimidating actions of this nature leave serious doubts whether its members will receive a fair hearing.”
The 16 employees, 14 of whom are Uasa members, were suspended recently after they allegedly accepted bonus payments without declaring it to Transnet. The bonuses had apparently been promised to them earlier by management.
Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu could not be reached for comment. — Sapa