dlk001
Executive Member
Two white managers of an East London manufacturing plant accused of a near fatal “racial attack” on a black colleague have been suspended from work.
The two men were suspended on March 4, the day the Daily Dispatch broke the story about the alleged February 23 assault on Bertha Qonono, a production team manager who sustained severe injuries.
On Tuesday Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) spokesperson Annelise van der Laan, who last week said the company would not tolerate racism, confirmed the suspension, saying it was in the interests of a speedy resolution to the matter.
“Management decided that all parties allegedly involved in this incident should not be present in the workplace until the investigations are concluded,” said Van der Laan, adding that investigations were at an advanced state.
She said MBSA should soon be in a position to decide on the appropriate action.
The two men – whose names are known to the Dispatch – are on temporary suspension with full pay, while Qonono, 39, is still on sick leave until Saturday.
Qonono who claimed the attack was racially motivated, spent three days in the intensive care unit of Life St Dominic’s Hospital.
He sustained four broken ribs and a severely bruised body after he jumped from a bridge in Kei Mouth in fear of the two suspects, one of whom he claimed was brandishing a gun.
For more on this story read Wednesday’s print or online edition of the Daily Dispatch.
The two men were suspended on March 4, the day the Daily Dispatch broke the story about the alleged February 23 assault on Bertha Qonono, a production team manager who sustained severe injuries.
On Tuesday Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) spokesperson Annelise van der Laan, who last week said the company would not tolerate racism, confirmed the suspension, saying it was in the interests of a speedy resolution to the matter.
“Management decided that all parties allegedly involved in this incident should not be present in the workplace until the investigations are concluded,” said Van der Laan, adding that investigations were at an advanced state.
She said MBSA should soon be in a position to decide on the appropriate action.
The two men – whose names are known to the Dispatch – are on temporary suspension with full pay, while Qonono, 39, is still on sick leave until Saturday.
Qonono who claimed the attack was racially motivated, spent three days in the intensive care unit of Life St Dominic’s Hospital.
He sustained four broken ribs and a severely bruised body after he jumped from a bridge in Kei Mouth in fear of the two suspects, one of whom he claimed was brandishing a gun.
For more on this story read Wednesday’s print or online edition of the Daily Dispatch.
AYDAY!
