Netwerk24 reports that one of SA’s prime banana producers, Umbhaba Estates, is claiming R318-million from the police and a trade union for damages caused by protestors over a period of four months.  

The producer, which has three farms in Mpumalanga, has lodged its claim at the High Court in Pretoria against the Minister of Police and the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu).  According to Umbhaba, the damage was caused during an unprotected strike initiated by Fawu at its Hectorspruit farm in November 2015.  Over a period of four months, the farm was apparently basically destroyed.  More than 152,000 young banana trees died because workers were prevented by Fawu from caring for them, while bananas went rotten in warehouses.  There was an instance of assault, when the police were present but did nothing.  In following days, gates were broken down and arson took place, all of which was reported to the police, who failed to respond timeously and properly.  But, according to Fawu, the case should not be heard by the High Court because it should have been referred to the Labour Court instead.  Judge Ronel Tolmay has ruled that Umbhaba can go ahead with its claim in the High Court provided that the words “strike” and “strikers” not be used.  During the hearing it will be determined if the action was a “strike” or “protest action”.  

• Read the full original of Jeanne-Marié Versluis’ report on this story in Afrikaans at Netwerk24 (paywall access only)

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