Durban - An altercation over unpaid wages is said to have led to the death of Khaya Ntoyiyane, 21, who was shot seven times and died on the scene in Chatsworth last Tuesday.
Union representative, Gugu Dlamini, of Abanqobi Workers Union, claimed Ntoyiyane was one of the many security guards who had not received their salaries, for weeks or even months, from their employer, Mega Asset Security.
The union represents security guards, domestic and farm workers.
Dlamini accused company owner, Dilon Naidoo, of not complying with labour laws.
Among his transgressions, it is alleged, that Naidoo did not contribute towards provident fund for his 60 employees nor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
On Tuesday, about 40 employees gathered at the company offices in Dayal Road, Clairwood, to demand their outstanding wages and that Naidoo pay for Ntoyiyane’s funeral arrangements and arrange transport for them to attend the funeral in Flagstaff, Eastern Cape, this weekend.
All those present told of the difficult conditions they work under, of Naidoo’s alleged arrogance when they demanded their wages, and how they lack uniforms and the tools of the trade.
“We have no handcuffs, batons or pepper spray. We don’t get payslips which makes it difficult to open accounts in stores or apply for loans. I was not paid last month and this month I was supposed to be paid on the 25th, yet I have not seen a cent from my measly R2 400 salary. This is painful but we keep on coming back to work because there’s nothing else to do out there,” said Thandikhaya Jamani, who has worked for the company for two years.
Jamani witnessed the killing of Ntoyiyane, and narrated with emotion how the events unfolded.
“He got into an argument with the (security company’s) inspector who claimed that he had taken over the company, when Khaya demanded to know where the boss was.
“On that day, Khaya was complaining about not having bus fare and how he had been unable to take care of his affairs because he had not been paid the previous month. Khaya then said since he (inspector) was the boss, he was liable for the salary,” Jamani said.
Another witness Mandla Mlitwa said: “He held Khaya by his clothing and started shooting. He shot him seven times. While being shot, Khaya pulled out a screwdriver to defend himself, but it was too late. This because he was demanding what was rightfully his.”
In the presence of the police, Naidoo agreed to arrange transport to the funeral and contributed R20 000 to the bereaved family.
“As for the late payment of salaries, the clients are responsible for that. Delays in payment by the clients result in delays in salary payment. I can’t help that,” Naidoo said.
He admitted that the suspect was his employee, and not a new company owner, and that since the shooting, he had received about 20 cancellations of contracts from clients. He said he was likely to close shop by month end.
On Tuesday, provincial police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said a case of murder was being investigated and the suspect had been taken to hospital under police guard.
He said the deceased had stabbed the suspect in the chest before he was killed.
The two witnesses, who said they had made sworn statement to the police, said they did not recall the deceased stabbing the suspect.
Daily News
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