Angry builder burns supplies
Fed-up construction owner retaliates for theft
ACONSTRUCTION boss ordered a worker to set alight a massive pile of brand new building material in Nelson Mandela Bay yesterday in retaliation for theft.
Workers watched in disbelief as petrol was poured over windows, doors, frames and other materials. The fed-up boss then ordered a worker to ignite the pile.
JB Construction owner Hennes Booysen said he had decided to burn the material because of the rampant theft at his construction site in Kleinskool.
Booysen was hired by the municipality to build RDP houses in the area. The owner said he was now vacating the site and leaving 300 people unemployed in the poverty-stricken Kleinskool area.
During the past two years, thieves had stolen about R360 000 worth of building materials, Booysen said.
Seven cases of theft have been opened with the police. The latest theft occurred on Friday night.
“They even assaulted and chased away the guard from the site. They stole items like grinders and drills,” he said.
An agitated Booysen said he was considering leaving the Bay to source work elsewhere in the province.
“I am fed up. I [would] rather burn down the remaining building materials now than wait a little longer for them to steal more.”
Booysen said he was also frustrated with the municipality for delaying payments for work already completed.
Municipal spokeswoman Marthie Nel failed to comment yesterday.
A community leader in Kleinskool, Quincy Edward, described Booysen’s retaliation as selfish but also necessary.
He said the majority of residents would now be jobless in the area. “We received mixed reaction when we tried to engage members of the community regarding this matter.
“It became clear it was becoming dangerous when guns were pointed at security officers,” he said.
Edward worked for JB Construction.
Another worker, Bonginkosi Mjiyake, said: “I really feel bad because their [the thieve’s] action has a direct impact on the wellbeing of many who have been working for this company. I just hope to get another job soon.”
Mjiyake said he had worked for the company for the past two years.