CHAOS ERUPTS ACROSS CITY
EFF’s ‘oversight’ raids force firms to close doors More companies to be ‘visited’ in the next three days, party warns
A number of leading businesses in East London were forced to shut their doors for a while yesterday when Economic Freedom Fighters supporters marched to the premises protesting against alleged exploitation of workers by these companies.
The party, which is rallying support for its fifth birthday bash at Sisa Dukashe stadium on Saturday, warned yesterday that it was on a roll.
More businesses were to receive “visits” from the EFF militants.
Videos of hundreds of raging people draped in EFF regalia singing and dancing in front of the businesses went viral on social media.
The disruptive demonstrations, which brought production to a standstill at some firms, came after workers from 35 East London companies filed complaints with the party led by firebrand Julius Malema, who has been whipping up support in the metro.
He promised Mdantsane followers that he would continue being “unruly” until they had their service delivery demands met.
EFF regional spokesman Xolile Mboni said businesses “shut down” by EFF yesterday included Summerpride Foods, Paramount Mills, Pick n Pay Greenfields, Debi Lee Spar in Greenfields and Real People Investment Holdings in Quigney.
The Dispatch’s efforts to get comments from three of the companies was unsuccessful last night. Greenfields Spar store manager Craig Webb refused to comment and blocked the Dispatch from speaking to the owner. A man who introduced himself as Anele Maputi from Paramount’s invoicing department said officials authorised to speak to the media had already left the office.
A man who answered the phone at Summerpride Foods said he was a security guard and told the Dispatch to call today as there were no officials available for comment.
Risk manager at Real People Steven Lindsay confirmed that the EFF had visited them, but referred questions to the company’s chief executive, Bruce Schenk, who was said to be locked in a meeting at the time of writing.
Debi Lee Spar manager Victor Delport could also not be reached for comment.
Mboni said the workers’ complaints were filed with the party’s labour desk at the East London City Hall on Saturday.
Complaints raised by workers included allegations of racism, unfair dismissals, unlawful hearings, poor salaries or wages and overwork. “We have given the companies until Friday to address all the problems and there will be trouble if there is failure to do so.”
Mboni described yesterday’s actions as “oversight visits”.
“As the vanguard of the working class and the poor masses it is our duty as the EFF to do oversight at these companies because unions and labour departments are failing to do their jobs. Remember we are a party in parliament so there is nothing wrong with following up to make sure the laws are implemented.”
Mboni warned that more companies would be visited in the next three days leading up to the party’s fifth birthday celebrations on Saturday.
Mboni said follow-up meetings would be held between the EFF and the company bosses to iron out the grievances.
Malema and other party leaders, including Floyd Shivambu, Dali Mpofu and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, have been seen around the city making public appearances.
Yesterday Malema staged another well-attended rally, this time in Mdantsane’s NU3.
His wide-ranging address included threats against “corrupt local leaders”, suggestions for improved municipal services – including houses better suited for dignified human beings – fiery words on land redistribution and a recitation of the EFF’s parliamentary achievements.
The meeting yesterday was filled with hundreds of young people who said they were there to ask Malema to take their plight seriously and come up with a solution.
We have given the companies until Friday to address all the problems Xolile Mboni
EFF regional spokesman