Demonstrators say construction company broke promise to hire local subcontractors
Peter Luhanga
- Job seekers held a week-long demonstration outside a construction site in August.
- Protesters accuse the contractor, Abbeydale Cape, of reneging on subcontracting arrangements.
- Video footage shows a guard dog being set on one of the job seekers.
- Police confirm assault case.
What started as a peaceful demonstration over broken job promises at a construction site turned ugly when a guard dog was allegedly set on a protester. The week-long demonstration began on 11 August and carried on until 19 August, but on Thursday the 14th a man says he set on by a dog at the industrial park across the N7 near Richmond, just behind Dunoon.
About 20 people took part in the demonstration, some of them small business owners and others seeking work opportunities at the construction site managed by Abbeydale Cape (Pty) Ltd.
Many wore construction clothing, and a few carried tools such as spirit levels.
When Iliso Labantu arrived on 14 August, a vehicle with the SJC security company logo was parked outside the gate close to where the group was gathered.
The group said they belonged to the Dunoon Coordinating Forum, representing small businesses and job seekers across Ward 104, which includes Dunoon and adjacent areas such as Doornbach (Site 5), Rivergate, and The Stables.
Vice secretary of the Dunoon Coordinating Forum, Vuyokazi Mehlwana, said she had previously worked with Abbeydale Cape director Thusang Moloi, securing several subcontracting jobs in the ward. She said Moloi met with the forum on 4 August and agreed to provide subcontracting work to seven Dunoon businesses. A list was sent to him the following day. But according to Mehlwana, the company then awarded the subcontracts to other businesses.
This breach sparked the week-long demonstration.
The peaceful demonstration turned ugly when security guards were called in.
One guard allegedly ordered his dog to attack a protester. Video seen by Iliso Labantu News shows Sibongile Mqolo of Zwezwe informal settlement sitting on the ground as the dog tears into the back of his jacket.
Seconds later, the animal latches onto his arm, shaking it violently.
Mqolo, confirmed he is the man in the video and said only his jacket stopped the dog from ripping into his flesh.
The handler, yanking hard on the leash, eventually dragged the dog away. A police van can be seen in the background, but no officers stepped in.
Mqolo, who has laid a charge at the Bothasig police station, said the attack has left him traumatised.
He said he didn’t sleep that night, the image of the dog biting him is still burned into his head.
“I am shocked, nervous. I have flashbacks. He ordered the dog in Afrikaans and said ‘bite him’,” said Mqolo.
Western Cape police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said Bothasig police have opened an assault case after a man reported that a guard set a dog on him at a business park on 14 August, just before 8am.
Pojie said the complainant told police he was only there looking for work.
“It is further alleged that the dog bit the complainant but fortunately he did not sustain injury due to the jacket he wore. A witness, who is currently in the Eastern Cape, will be interviewed by the investigating officer soon, whereafter the docket will be submitted to the senior public prosecutor for a decision to prosecute or not,” said Pojie.
Cheryl Hunter of Abbeydale Cape said the company was aware of concerns raised by the Dunoon Coordinating Forum and of the incident outside Atlantic Hills Park.
Hunter said the firm was still gathering facts and speaking to stakeholders.
She said police had been involved from the outset and the company remained in contact with them “to ensure the matter is addressed within the proper legal channels”.
She said Abbeydale Cape took seriously both the safety of its staff and the security of sites that had faced repeated trespassing and disruption.
“We recognise the importance of local participation in projects and continue to seek constructive dialogue with community representatives to find solutions that support both sustainable development and community interests,” said Hunter.SJC Security did not reply to requests for comment before publication