A large group of angry National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members in their red union t-shirts litteraly painted the town a violent red as they marched through the CBD intimidating those they felt are betraying their cause.
The group assumedly consisted largely of petrol attendants who have now joined their cohorts strike for higher wages. The petrol attendants are demanding a R30 an hour increase across the board.
As the march proceeded down Albertina Sisulu Road towards Krugersdorp, workers at other businesses such as engineering companies, as well as motorists at service stations, were also intimidated by the knobkierrie-wielding army.
Two JMPD vehicles and a few private security company vehicles kept a cautious distance. As the Record’s journalist approached the mob to take photos he was warned not to, as they raised their weapons and shouted ‘Voertsek!’.
In a last ditch attempt to get photographs for the Records readers the journalist got too close to the group and the march marshals apparently lost control over the group. A few marchers broke away from the throng and leapt at the car with their traditional weapons. The journalist narrowly escaped having to swerve into oncoming traffic.
