Two protestors assumed to be members or sympathisers with the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) were arrested outside SAA’s premises in the early hours of September 4.

In a statement SAA said the two individuals were part of a group that blocked main entrances leading into SAA and SAA Technical and were taken into custody while trying to barricade the entrances by setting tyres alight. This incident happened away from the demarcated picketing area.

SAA has consulted with its lawyers in order to pursue contempt of court proceedings against SATAWU who SAA said, have “clearly disobeyed” the order after the airline successfully applied for an interdict last week against the union to bar striking employees from acts of intimidation, assault and vandalising property.

The company advised its Johannesburg based office staff to work from remote locations due to the volatile situation that prevailed yesterday morning. Employees who had reported for duty were also given an option to leave office early.

“SAA has taken measures intended to ensure that non-striking employees are able to report for duty and that their property as well as that of the company is secured. These measures include visible and vigilant police presence on site to continue to maintain law and order as well as enforcing the court interdict,” SAA said in the statement.  

SAA continued to say that the latest incidents reinforce SAA management’s decision taken last week to suspend all forms of wage negotiations with SATAWU until the union has called its members to order.   

“Given all the riotous acts witnessed this morning (September 4), SAA and SAA Technical operations experienced only one flight delay today. In addition, the protest and the barricade of public roads caused a major inconvenience not only to non-striking staff who wanted to report for duty but to members of the public as well.  “