North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise is to lead a high-powered provincial government delegation that is to mediate in the impasse between Congress of South African Trade Union-North West (COSATU-NW) and Sun International Management. The intervention meeting is scheduled to be held as from 9h00 am at the Foundation Stone Lodge in Mahikeng on Wednesday.
COSATU had in its Memorandum dated 14 January 2012 levelled accusations of racism at Sun International on the basis of an incident in which employees of an outsourced security provider, 24/7 were accused of inappropriate behaviour in apprehending suspects at the Valley of the Waves at Sun City who had been accused of molesting young girls under the water.
While admitting that there was an infringement of procedure in the apprehension of those responsible, which it does not condone, Sun International had through its Acting Chief Executive, Garth Collins confirmed that the individuals concerned have been suspended pending the outcome of their disciplinary processes.
In response to allegations of torture, Collins had said that there was no evidence to suggest that the suspects in this incident were “electrocuted” and burned with cigarettes as alleged by COSATU. He said that on the evidence available, the security official concerned made no physical contact with those apprehended at all.
Sun International had indicated that it was in the process of appointing KPMG to conduct an independent investigation into the actions of 24/7 as no agreement on the process of the investigation could be reached between itself and the provincial chapter of the trade union federation.
Parents of the children involved had purportedly elected not to file criminal charges given the trauma this may cause to the children concerned.
A follow-up bilateral meeting between the North West Provincial Government and COSATU will follow as from 11:00 am to address issues which were raised by COSATU in its Memorandum to the provincial government and during earlier engagements with the Provincial Executive Council.
Issues for discussion include but are not limited to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Report into into fraud and corruption investigations conducted across 23 municipalities, allegations of racism on farms, strategies to address, unemployment, Public Transportation for Learners in Rural Areas and Farms, Renaming of Hospitals, Amalgamated Stores, Mafikeng Airport, etc.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel:018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
