Parliament caught by surprise as former Ciskei Transport Corporation employees return to protest
In a surprise turn of events yesterday, a number of former South African Transport Services and the Ciskei Transport Corporation employees returned to camp outside Parliament.
It is the fourth time in two years that the group has embarked on similar action. On previous occasions the group sought to highlight complaints regarding payment of benefits dating back over 20 years.
Since last year Parliament has been working with the group and a range of State Departments to facilitate a resolution of alleged short or non-payment of benefits to the employees.
It is not clear why the group has again decided to travel to Cape Town while discussions were still ongoing with the various stakeholders. The delegation expressed their satisfaction with the work done so far.
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise, addressed the pensioners during their protest action late last year and undertook to assist with an investigation of the matter.
Since then, the complaint was also referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings. Parliament also facilitated a meeting with senior officials from relevant government departments including Labour, Public Enterprises, Social Development and Transport and Treasury and an investigation of the petitioners’ claims with pension funds which covered them.
Regular feedback was provided at report back meetings with representatives of the petitioners. Several meetings have been held on the matter with the representatives of the group since last year.
The complaint dates back to the early 1990s when the Ciskei Transport Corporation was dissolved. Some of the petitioners employed by the SA Transport Services had their services terminated in 1988 after a strike.
The long time lapse has made it difficult to resolve the petitioners’ claims speedily.
Parliament is concerned about the safety and security of the pensioners and is coordinating a multi-disciplinary response with Health, Social Development, City of Cape Town and Police, among others, to assist where possible.
