News24 reports that disgruntled workers at the controversial KwaSizabantu Mission, supported by dozens of members of the community of KwaMxhosa and surrounds, have embarked on a strike against the mission over the alleged unfair dismissal of around 20 Emseni Farming workers.  

Last month, the workers at Emseni Farming – a business owned by the leaders of KwaSizabantu Mission – downed tools and questioned their salaries.  Allegedly, they have since been dismissed.  One community member said:  "Three weeks back, [the mission] fired 24 workers, suspended five and gave all workers a final warning.  They are trying to threaten them, [saying] they are gossiping about the mission outside and they are even telling [the] media about things happening inside the mission.  All roads are blocked here on the R74."  The community member indicated that they were there to support Emseni Farming workers because of the conduct of the mission, which was believed to have betrayed workers, following a boycott of KwaSizabantu Mission products.  Emseni Farming supplies fruit and vegetables to popular retailers in South Africa.  However, following an exposé by News24 on allegations of abuse, cultism and financial crimes at the mission, retailers suspended their business there.  One of the workers who was fired a month ago, Vukile Mzuza, claimed that he was dismissed after the mission accused him of "informing" the media about what was happening at the mission – a claim he denied.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Azarrah Karrim at News24

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