VANDERBIJLPARK.- The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) embarked on a strike action demanding a 10% salary increase across the board recently.

It was reported on 11 May that workers would not back down on their demands as they flatly refused to take home a 5% increase offer made by the ArceloMittal of South Africa (AMSA). Union Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the workers are calling the management to come to the negotiating table while the strike continues.

The motorists woke up on 15 May only to be met with the entrances at the corner of Nobel Boulevard and Frikkie Meyer in Vanderbijlpark barricaded with tons of coal. Apparently three trucks transporting coal to ArceloMittal were hijacked elsewhere  and the drivers were allegedly forced to offload the coal at the main entrance of the company. On 16 May SAPS and security guards were assigned to the scene to guard as a TLB loaded the coal onto various trucks.