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KNYSNA NEWS - A march organised by the local Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party turned violent momentarily on Workers' Day but soon returned back to normal and addressed the issues at hand.

On Tuesday 1 May at about 10:30 – the march was scheduled to start at 09:00 – between 60 and 80 EFF members set out from Nekkies in Knysna, headed down the N2 towards town, and delivered memorandums containing demands to both the Knysna Provincial Hospital and Food Lover's Market (FLM).

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Beforehand, EFF Ward 3 branch command team secretary and regional member Siyabulela Kolanisi said the march was brought on by numerous concerns existing in Knysna, some of which are the exploitation of workers, racism at the workplace, nepotism, and issues relating to doctors, staff and services rendered at the provincial hospital.

'Ready to defend the voiceless'
"Today we say enough is enough, we are ready to defend the voiceless," said Kolanisi.

Although mostly peaceful, accompanied by the classic cardboard signs and loudly sung liberation songs, the march took a violent turn when the marchers were not allowed access to FLM's parking area.

A contingent of police clad in riot gear was waiting for them, blocking the entrance. The handover of the memorandum at the hospital moments before went ahead without incident.

The EFF reads out its memorandum in the presence of Food Lover's Market owner and management, under police supervision.

Police use stun grenades
The EFF crowd was visibly incensed by the police presence and demanded to know why they were being stopped from entering FLM's premises. Soon, Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) journalists witnessed pushing and shoving between EFF members and police. 

Within what seemed like mere seconds, three consecutive bangs were heard followed by puffs of smoke – stun grenades used by police to disperse the crowd.

A member of the crowd shouted, "Where are these bloody racist owners, bring them out!"

The EFF leadership member in attendance, provincial secretary Melikhaya Xego, calmed down the crowd and the issue of the day could be addressed.

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Claims of racism, discrimination
Employees at FLM claim they are being discriminated against, are victims of racism, and that management is abusing the Labour Relation Act (LRA) and does not follow due processes set out by the Act, among other issues.

What's more, and the most humiliating issue of all, said employees, is that they are forced to use a clocking in/out device when using the toilet facilities at work, and that at the end of each month the time spent in the toilet is deducted from their salary.

Kolanisi, along with two other FLM employees who wish to remain anonymous for fear of repercussion, shared this with KPH days before the march: "They don't treat us the same as the white employees. We perform the same function, some of us have been working here longer than our white colleagues, but we get less pay.

Clocking system at toilet
"Then we have to clock in and out when we use the toilets, and the white employees don't. Not even the white security person. Sometimes two to three days' worth of pay is deducted from our salaries," said one highly irate employee.

There is also the example of a butchery employee who has worked for FLM for many many years. "He doesn't even earn half the salary of the white guys who have been there for a shorter period," said another employee.

A memorandum was handed over to FLM owner Hermann Kapp. The EFF has given him seven days to reply to it or, they said, they will return within 14 days. The same applies to the memorandum handed to hospital management.

Kapp said on Wednesday 2 May that he would only be able to comment on the accusations made by the EFF and employees next week.

Police on the scene next to the N2 before the march commenced.

'Internal systems in place'
"We have followed the law fully and have internal processes in place with which employees can communicate their concerns. Yesterday an individual decided not to use these processes and instead took a political stance on the matter and involved a political party – not a union – which is against the law. 

"Although we do not have a union here, we do have an internal committee with representatives from all levels serving on it which serves as a way for employees to communicate with management," said Kapp.

The many issues at the hospital include claims of unprofessionalism from staff regarding patient confidentiality, issuing similar medication for all illnesses, disappointing ambulance response times to outlying communities, no room for growth for hospital employees, allegations of white patients receiving better treatment than others, unhealthy diets for patients, the need for clinics to be open 24 hours per day, and the lack of staff.

There were 15 points mentioned in total.

Western Cape Government Health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira said she would reply to Knysna-Plett Herald queries, sent on Tuesday 1 May, as soon as possible.