Johannesburg - No staff have been dismissed at the Sun City resort in the North West, Sun International said on Sunday.
“Sun International can confirm that approximately 160 people employed across the Sun City resort are under investigation for theft of food and beverage consumables,” spokesman Michael Farr said in a statement.
“Only 30 of these staff members are Sun City employees. The balance are employed by four external service providers.'
Contrary to claims made by the Congress of SA Trade Unions in the North West reported elsewhere, Sun City had not dismissed any staff, and was waiting for the outcome of the investigation before action was taken.
On Saturday, Cosatu regional secretary Solly Phetoe said hundreds of people working at the resort protested outside the premises on Saturday.
The protesters were demanding the immediate re-instatement of between 200 and 250 of their colleagues, who were fired during the week.
“The protesters allege that management has placed video cameras in toilets and in the kitchens to monitor them,” said Phetoe.
Some workers were fired for allegedly spending too much time in the kitchen and rest rooms, while others were alleged to have been filmed stealing, Phetoe said at the time.
He called on the resort's management to provide proof of this by showing the material it had.
Farr said it could be confirmed staff employed by one of the four service providers had been suspended by their employer pending the outcome of the investigation and disciplinary process.
“The investigation is into hundreds of incidents of theft recorded on camera by security,” Farr said.
“Sun City management is entirely comfortable that they have complied with the correct processes by informing their recognised trade union Saccawu (SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union), who has raised no objection to the investigations.”
Farr said the “illegal protest” held on Saturday involved 100 to 150 people and not 3000 as reported by Cosatu.
“Participants in the illegal protest were staff under investigation, their colleagues and others not known to us at all,” he said.
“Although the protestors prevented Sun City as well as other employees from entering the resort, Sun City remained operationally functional.”
Contingency measures were also employed to ensure the ongoing well-being and comfort of visitors.
“Additional allegations from Cosatu North West of racism, coupled with claims that there are cameras inside toilets are not only completely unfounded, they are also inflammatory,” Farr said. - Sapa