Today's Labour News

News24 reports that before collapsing at a police station and later dying in hospital, Thabo Clement Ncama allegedly terrorised a manager and another employee at Nice Group SA by holding them hostage at the company's offices on the East Rand, Gauteng.

The company, which specialises in smart home security and home and building automation, confirmed that the incident happened last Friday. In a social media video, Ncama, visibly frustrated, instructs another person to lock the doors while addressing his manager, who is seen strapped to a chair. "This is my manager at Nice. Today, I was going to a disciplinary hearing because he wants to fire me because I said he is racist … This guy has been treating us like sh*t since he came," he says in the video. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said Ncama went to the offices at around 08:00 and demanded to see the 51-year-old manager. Ncama pointed a firearm at the manager, then pulled the trigger and shot at the ground. He instructed the man to lie on the floor, and tied his hands and feet with tape. Ncama also called another employee and tied him up, stating he did not want him to be suspected of involvement. Ncama then brandished a knife, threatening to stab them if they moved. He then fetched 10 litres of petrol in a container and started pouring it everywhere. In an attempt to end his life, Ncama took a rope and tried to hang himself upstairs but failed. Masondo said Ncama attempted to escape through a window but was arrested by police who responded to the scene. The fire set by Ncama caused extensive damage, which is estimated at R3 million. No injuries were reported. But, the manager who was taken hostage was extremely traumatised.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (registration required)

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