SECUNDA – Some leaders of the Govan Mbeki Community Forum were arrested on Monday, 18 June for public violence following the torching of Murray and Roberts’ offices on Wednesday, 13 June.
Disgruntled members of the forum set the offices alight during a protest in which they demanded jobs.
On the day of the incident, the group of unemployed youths gathered outside Risko Fakude Stadium as per their daily ritual and they agreed that their task for the day was to visit companies in the Greenfields area outside Secunda.
They arrived early and were singing outside the Murray and Roberts premises, but the protest turned violent in no time and they vandalised property and hurling stones and allegedly threw a petrol bomb into one of the cabins.
Employees from Murray and Roberts said they narrowly escaped death and that the protesters were very violent.
“It was not the first time that these protesters had gathered at the site, but on that day most of us felt that something bad was going to happen.
“We raised our concerns with management, but we were told not to worry.
“However hell broke loose when the protesters began pushing against the gate and our lives were in danger.
“They wanted to get in and assault us and we had to use force to block the door.
“We used fire extinguishers to defend ourselves.
“Some of us were hurt and our cars were damaged,” said one of the employees.
Eight security guards and employees were taken to hospital after they were assaulted and disarmed.
Their security shields and four guns were taken.
However, eMbalenhle Police recovered the shields on the same day and three shotguns and 18 rounds of ammunition were found the next day.
Police apprehended three taxi drivers in connection with the firearms but released them because there was no evidence that linked them to the crime.
Mr Fanyana Sibanyoni, chairman of the Vukanini Taxi Association, distanced his association from the protest and said the association was not part of it and that they were only transporting people.
He was glad that his members were not charged with any crime.
StratconRisk and Jelani Security were praised for supporting the Fidelity guards when the protestors stormed the businesses on the mine road leading to Charl Cilliers.
They managed to rescue about 20 people who were trapped inside a warehouse that was surrounded by burning offices, as well as others from another office.
Mr Jacques Alberts from StratconRisk said the police’s Flying Squad also deserved to be lauded for their work. ER24 ambulance services and Langamed South helped the injured.
A group from the Govan Mbeki Community Forum visited the eMbalenhle and the Secunda Police Stations to query the arrest of the members.
Police said they were peaceful and were told how the arrests came about and they then left peacefully.
Mr Ed Jardim, group investor and media executive: Murray and Roberts, said: “We understand it was local community members who caused the damage to our offices earlier this month.
“The reasons behind the attack are yet to be formally determined, as is the extent of the damages.
“We believe it is local unemployed community members protesting against a lack of employment in the area.
“Why they have chosen to damage only Murray and Roberts’ offices is unknown.
“Our first priority was to take care of our employees and service providers who were injured in this attack.
“They received medical care and trauma counselling was provided to any employee or service provider who required it. As far as we understand, they have all recovered well.”
Also read: Protest at Murray and Roberts outside Secunda escalates
