By: Natasha Archary
One person was shot after gunmen opened fire on a Transnet staff bus in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, 13 October.
This after unions rejected the three-year wage offer which was tabled by Transnet, proposing a 4.5% increase across the board.
According to police four masked gunmen opened fire on a staff buss owned by the parastatal, wounding one female passenger.
Police say the incident took place around 17h30, when the bus went to Railway Flats in New Brighton, Gqeberha to fetch Transnet staff members.
The bus was approached by four armed men, with two men flanking each side of the bus opening fire.
It is suspected the shooting is related to the ongoing strike as police say two permanent staff members who were meant to be partaking in the strike were on board the bus at the time.
“Only casual staff are allowed to go to work. The rest are striking over wage increases. The men were wearing balaclavas and just opened fired randomly.
One female was injured on the foot. When the driver drove into the premises, the suspects fled. There were 10 people, on board the bus at the time, including the driver. There were no other injuries.”
Both the United National Transport Union (UNTU) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) rejected the three-year wage offer.
Unions are demanding a 7.6% increase in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rates.
“Transnet has again just juggled the numbers to make the offer look differently, quite frankly it actually looks worse at face value. The actual improvement in salaries of the members (taking all things into consideration) is still very far away from a CPI-related increase for the members,” said UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren.
Media Statement: Transnet tables three-year wage offer. pic.twitter.com/UJNByPcVFg
— Transnet SOC Ltd (@follow_transnet) October 13, 2022
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