Update
KNYSNA NEWS - A throng of EFF members infiltrated and protested at Checkers on 25 January following allegations that two cashiers were stripped naked by a security guard.
The cashiers claim they were stripped naked and searched after their cash-up money was short on 19 January. The store's media office confirmed that the store management is investigating allegations that administration manager Janine Baartman may have ordered the strip search.
The two employees opened a case of crimen injuria against the security guard on 29 January.
According to the two female cashiers, Zethu Teyise and Asanda Ngcitha, the search was an instruction by Baartman. This was later also confirmed by the EFF's official Mbulelo Magwala after members of the EFF demanded answers about the incident from another of the store's managers, Elmare Nortje Coetzee. According to Magwala, Coetzee told them that Baartman had been suspended as a result of the incident.
'We're not allowed to drink tap water'
But staff members who did not wish to be mentioned for fear of reprisal, who spoke to KPH during the EFF commotion, fingered Coetzee and said she was also guilty of treating them unfairly and that since Coetzee moved to Knysna from Oudtshoorn, things had changed for the worse.
"We are not allowed to drink tap water because according to her it increases the company's municipal bill," one complained. "When we need to go to the loo we need to say what it is we're going to do, be searched by a security guard and then go."
Another interjected with, "More than anything, she is dividing us. The one cashier who was R600 short on that day is coloured and wasn't searched and we've had other coloureds who were short in the past but were never stripped."
The EFF staged a protest inside Checkers Knysna after two cashiers were allegedly mistreated. Photos: Nwabisa Pondoyi
'Workers entitled to decent conditions'
When asked about the allegations, Coeztee said she is not allowed to talk with the media. The store's media team responded to the allegations against Coetzee saying the Shoprite Group has a long-standing view that all workers are entitled to reasonable and decent working conditions.
"We have always made an effort to base dealings with our own employees on the principles of fairness and respect and in compliance with provisions of prevailing labour legislation. Human rights are of great importance to us," read the response.
The official correspondence also said the supermarket chain has a clear policy about staff relations which is entrenched in its code of conduct and contracts of employment. "All employees within the company are aware of the internal channels to follow should they have grievances against line managers or other colleagues and support mechanisms are available to them in the form of labour union representation," concluded the response.
Social media response
The incident also elicited vehement commentary from the public on KPH's Facebook page.
Said Bongi Lolwana: "They have no regard for basic human rights! Siyaqhelwa kodwa (We're trivialised)."
"That is a huge violation. Disgusting," said Tess Hagen, while one Stella Claudia Crosti described the event as "heartbreaking".
Richard Butler said, " Am wondering whether the EFF pay those individuals to be a nuisance to the general public."
The EFF's Southern Cape regional organiser Siyabulela Kolanisi said they are planning a march to the store next week and to other businesses in town that are allegedly abusing employees.
Read a related article: She stripped us naked, say cashiers
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