Race storm hits Toyota supplier
A SENIOR manager at Toyota Boshoku in Durban is the latest to get caught in the racial storm engulfing the country.
The manager, who is not named as he did not directly respond to the allegations of racism against him, allegedly called one of the company’s workers a “monkey”.
Toyota South Africa yesterday distanced itself from Toyota Boshoku, saying Boshoku was a wholly independent company and only supplied parts, such as seats, to them.
According to employees at Toyota Boshoku, the manager called the worker a monkey last month. The worker laid an internal grievance and a hearing was held, although this could not be independently confirmed.
A source said: “The employee felt humiliated being called a monkey in front of other workers. It’s quite difficult for him to work now because some staff members keep bringing that up.”
Cosatu provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize said decisive action must be taken against the manager. “He called one worker a monkey and later apologised. To our surprise, he remains at work and no action has been taken.
“We demand that Toyota pronounce itself on its position with regard to racial attitudes and utterances and explain why no action has been taken. The Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector must investigate these racist sentiments,” Mkhize said.
Charmaine Lottering of Toyota Boshoku said they rejected the allegations, but could not comment further as the matter was subject to legal processes.
To our surprise, no action has been taken