Wage war comes to an end
Outstanding wages led to a hostage situation that was diffused at the Mbombela SAPS in December. Former employees of Ulwazi Protection Services have now received their payments.
MBOMBELA – The planned Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration’s (CCMA) action against Ulwazi Protection Services will not continue. The complaint against Ulwazi was withdrawn after former employees received outstanding payment on December 24.
This was the outcome of a hostage situation that was diffused at the Mbombela SAPS on December 17. Former employees of Ulwazi Protection Services, a Gauteng-based security company, seized the company’s regional manager and delivered him to the local police station in a desperate attempt to demand their wages, which had been outstanding for more than a month.
According to Ms Chrisselda Fakude, who spoke on behalf of the group, these former employees were promised a final payment subsequent to the termination of their employment, which payment was due on November 15. They felt that regional manager, Mr Godfrey Moya had to take responsibility for the situation and wanted to take him hostage.
Moya said he had not received his salary either and Lowvelder approached Ulwazi’s accountant, Mr David Bala, for comment. He indicated that the outstanding payments would be made by December 19. When this did not happen, the newspaper published an article relaying the facts on December 23.
According to Fakude, all outstanding payments were made by Ulwazi the very next day. This resulted in the claim being withdrawn on on January 5, 2015.
