Job loss fears as arsonists pounce on Rocklands again
It has not been established whether the arsonists were the same one who also burnt trucks. In both instances, the arsonists were armed with high calibre weapons.
PIGG’S PEAK - It was another big blow to Rocklands Mill yesterday, when logs were set alight by unknown people.
This has now resulted in fears among some employees that this could result in them losing their jobs, as some of the operations could be forced to close. Already, the company’s staff transportation section was hit hard when on November 16, 2022, arsonists set two trucks alight. These were the same trucks that were being used to ferry workers to and from work. The trucks that were destroyed two weeks ago, are said to have been parked at the Peak Timbers compound. This time, the arsonists targeted logs that had been processed for the day.
It had not been established whether the arsonists who struck yesterday, were the same ones who also burnt the trucks. In both instances, the arsonists were armed with high calibre weapons.
The arson attack is said to have happened around 2am yesterday morning.
It was gathered by yesterday 10am that production had been shut down for the day .
According to some of the employees who asked not to be named, they did not know why the company was targeted this time.
“I think they are sending a warning,” said one of the workers. They said last time such happened, arsonists set the trucks on fire as punishment to the company for allowing staff members to report for work when there was an informal nationwide call to stay away from work. However, this time, only logs that had been processed were damaged.
REFERRED
The burnt logs had been placed in piles referred to as bundles and were of different sizes.
Workers who did not want to speak on record, said they were shocked by the latest attack as they were still trying to figure out the reason. “We now fear some of us could be forced to go home because production will stop,” said the workers.
This publication gathered that when the arsonists arrived, none of the workers were aware that they had come to cause damage. However, they said they were shocked to notice the fire and tried to put it out because it had not spread very far.
It is said that when the fire was noticed, senior company officials arrived and attempts were made to put out the fire.
“We tried to put out the fire because it had not spread very far at the time,” said an employee.
The employee said as they were putting out the fire, they began to hear sounds of gunfire. “We could not see where the gunfire was coming from,” said an employee and that during that time, everyone fled the scene.
After the sound of gunfire had subsided, the police arrived.
However, he said it appeared the gunmen were not targeting anyone in particular, but it sounded like they were firing shots in the air as a warning.
“They wanted us to stop putting out the fire and we did just that,” said the employee.
Members of the security forces were called and arrived at the scene after the arson attack was reported. At around 5am yesterday, some soldiers were found at the main entrance of the company. Warders and police officers were also on guard while company firefighters were found putting out the fire.
MONItORING
About 20 personnel from the security forces were on the ground monitoring the situation, while firefighters were putting out the fire. Soldiers were spotted in full military gear including high-powered rifles standing guard.
A senior company official was contacted but he referred questions to another officer. When that official was contacted, he referred questions back to the first official, adding that he did not have the mandate to comment.
When the first senior official was called again, he said he would forward the questions to the relevant person.
The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said no one had been arrested in connection with the arson attack.
“The gunmen wanted us to stop putting out the fire and we did just that.”