Store owners allege co-op vandalism

MEMBERS of the Cacadu Trucking Primary Co-operative Limited stopped operations at a foreign-owned hardware store yesterday, demanding that customers use their service to transport goods purchased.

The incident follows a threatening letter written to store owners in the area, demanding owners stop using their own vehicles to transport goods for customers because it took business away from members of the co-op.

The co-operative threatened to stop all hardware store vehicles from operating if they did not adhere to the demand.

Sakhile Hardware Store belonging to Gurmit Singh was blocked from operating by a group who claimed to be members of the association and two bakkies belonging to the owner were damaged.

The president of the South African Pakistani Association Border Zone Ashraf Saeed said the group broke the windshield of one bakkie and the other seemed to have been stoned.

“Singh and I went to open a case at the police station but we are not aware of any arrests. These people demand that we give them business yet customers complain their prices are too high. Most of the people who buy at hardware stores are poor and live in the villages. Some of them are employed at the store. Customers have been lost due to this because they are scared to visit again due to the hooliganism that took place yesterday.”

Border-Kei Chamber of Business administrator Adre Bartis visited Singh’s store and spoke to the people who she said were rude and carrying sjamboks.

“It was a small group of rowdy, rude people, intimidating the owner and threatening to shut the store. I wanted to set up a meeting with the business owners and members of the co-op so they could reach an agreement. The group used the wrong approach - that is not how you deal with business people. There are certain ethics to be followed and you cannot demand that a business owner gives you work.”

Transport manager for the co-op Linda Mlibala denied the group was from the co-op, saying he was not aware of any protest by members.

Police spokeswoman captain Namhla Mdleleni said they were investigating a case of malicious damage to property. “It is alleged the complainant’s vehicle was stoned while delivering building materials and damaged. No arrests have been made as we are still looking for the suspects.”