Booted Erasmia workers loot for revenge

Many small businesses continue to be casualties of the Covid lockdown, with various struggling concerns forced to close their doors against the unforgiving pandemic. However, for a local cash-strapped business, unable to keep staff on during lockdown, theft and vandalism after closure was an added problem. To add insult to injury, the business owner felt intimidated and hard done by, upon reporting the matter to the police.
In this recent incident, Anton de Beer, who runs a small business from his home in Erasmia, on the Cnr Coert and De Winter Str, repairing furniture, vehicles and other items, had to close his business as the Covid pandemic depleted all his reserves, and business dropped drastically. Being unable to maintain his staff of 18 any longer, Anton had to weigh the costs of these overheads, coupled with a new discovery of long-term theft, allegedly by former employees. After 13 years in existence, he sadly closed the door of his business.
A disappointed Anton, told the Laudium Sun, “I employed 18 workers in my company, which was operating at my place in Erasmia. We repaired many items such as couches, cars, even carpets from buildings. I had an onsite workshop where most of my staff worked on these repairs, while a few were employed as domestic workers. They had worked with me for over 13 years. Besides paying their salaries and giving them rent-free accommodation as well, I also supplied them with monthly groceries and food.”
Anton said he started noticing a change in worker attitude and was disappointed to find important items and cash missing. Anton continued that he confronted some workers who had access to both his house and the workshop, after he discovered the theft of tools and other items. “I asked them about the missing items, but they denied any wrongdoing. I lost some of my important tools, which cost around R5000. I also realized that there were other missing items including a Playstation and a radio cord.”
Anton said he then noticed a disturbing trend. “The workers suddenly changed behaviour, and they demanded a profit share. I asked them if they understood what it meant to run a business, such as to pay for all the expenses, among other responsibilities. Eventually, I ended up earning extraordinarily little and worked just to cover their salaries. During the Covid lockdown, I continued paying them in full, but I eventually ran at a huge loss. I was forced to take a loan to cover all these costs, which was around R140 000, and I am still repaying the loan, even though the staff are not here anymore. These last two months were incredibly challenging, as the staff demanded that I must hire their family members also. How can I do that when we are under Covid lockdown all the time? My business has run at such a big loss.”
Anton claimed he then became a victim of a violent home invasion by the workers when he decided to close his doors. “After I fired them, they came back a few days later and were violent. They damaged the couches that had been repaired and stole many items from my home and business premises, including petty cash.”
Shockingly, on reporting this matter to the SAPS, Anton claimed he experienced a hostile law enforcement reaction. “I opened a case of theft and vandalism, but instead of assisting me, the police questioned me about the many couches on my property. They also insisted that I pay them R10 000 or else they would fine me for firing my staff. It is very painful that the people whom I employed, trusted and lived so closely with, would turn against me like this.”
In response, Constable Tumisang Moloto, of the Erasmia SAPS, said, “A case of property damage and theft has been opened, and the police are underway with the investigation. There are no arrests yet. I have not received any formal complaint against the police officers in this case.” Constable Moloto urged the complainant to come forward with any alleged wrongdoing by the police, and to inform the Station Commander accordingly.