Thousands of commuters in Rustenburg and Mogwase in the North West have been left stranded, following a strike by bus drivers at the Bojanala Bus Services, who abandoned their shifts on Monday.
The drivers are allegedly demanding amnesty following several offences including negligence, reckless driving and failure to issue tickets to commuters which is regarded as theft and serious offence to the company.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Bojanala Bus Services regional Manager Karl Myburgh said that the strike started after disciplinary hearings were instituted against some of the drivers for various offences.
“This an illegal work stoppage.
It is unfortunate because none of the buses are operating and it has left commuters stranded because of this industrial action.
Disciplinary action was instituted against certain employees, and they are refusing to adhere to the law as prescribed in the Labour Relations Act.
They are blatantly refusing to attend disciplinary hearings raising unsubstantiated grievances against certain managers which to this day, they have failed to produce evidence to prove their allegations,” said Myburgh.
The bus company has accused the drivers of committing serious offences ranging from reckless and negligent driving including ticket irregularities.
“These are serious offences because if you are reckless, you are not only endangering the lives of 65 passengers in the bus, but you are also putting the lives of other road users at risk.
If you are failing to issue tickets to commuters, you are actually depriving the community of various services because those funds are not paid to the company coffers to maintain and operate the buses in accordance with our contract and the department of transport, which are serious offences,” explained Myburgh.
The senior management of the new employer, Trans Africa Holdings is expected to meet with the union representing workers on Thursday to seek a solution to the ongoing crisis, possibly ending the illegal strike immediately.
Meanwhile, Myburgh said that the company has implemented all the agreements from the previous engagements with workers and their union, Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Unions of South Africa.
Workers embarked on a protected strike in June last year, demanding that the employer implement fair labour practices.
