By: Natasha Archary

BMW Group South Africa has confirmed that workers are staging a protest outside the company’s Rosslyn plant.
While some reports suggest the protest is in retaliation over BMW’s restructuring process where 700 workers allegedly face retrenchment, the Group says this isn’t the case.
In a statement, BMW Group SA said the protest is in response to an ongoing fraud investigation within the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme (BEMAS).
The BMW Group said they are cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“BMW Group SA can confirm a protest action today outside the Rosslyn plant in response to an ongoing fraud investigation within the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme (BEMAS).
BMW Group SA will not tolerate any acts of bribery, fraud or corruption by its employees. All internal policies and procedures are being followed, and the necessary disciplinary action will be taken for any employee found in transgression of our Disciplinary Code.
The rumours of workforce reduction to cut a shift are untrue and should there be any termination of an associate’s contract due to the Fraud Investigation, we will recruit and upskill new associates, ensuring business continuity.
The integrity of BEMAS is critical to our value proposition as an employer. Its core function is to guarantee that our employees and their families have access to the best possible healthcare.”
On Monday, 16 September employees downed tools at the BMW Rosslyn plant and while workers say the protest is peaceful, several workers were injured after the Public Order Policing Unit fired rubber bullets at the protesting workers earlier.
Kaya News reporter Pitso Molemane, who was on scene spoke to workers who shared they were shot in the back and legs.
Production has been brought to a standstill at BMW Rosslyn and police have taken control over the plant with 2 nyalas and a few police bakkies parked at the entrance of the company.
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