Denel demoting black managers: Numsa

Workers at Denel are to conduct daily protests at the arms manufacturer's Pretoria offices against a suspected drive to remove black managers from their positions. The National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) says the situation at the company has deteriorated since the appointment of Shaun Liebenberg as Denel chief executive officer.

Dumisa Ntuli, a spokesperson for Numsa says about 1200 union members in Denel's employ would hold lunchtime demonstrations every day to highlight their concerns. "We are objecting against the removal and intentions to demote affirmative action appointees by the current general managers and group directors," Ntuli said in a statement.

"Since the appointment of the current CEO by the Minister of Public Enterprises Alec Erwin things have gone from bad to worse."

Ntuli says one black manager had so far been removed and another four were being targeted. Erwin announced in April that Liebenberg would replace Victor Moche as the near-bankrupt arms manufacturer's chief executive. Ntuli adds that Numsa had been "marginalised and undermined" in the decision making process.

"We want the company to quit thinking short-term and stop the removal of black managers," Ntuli said. He says workers feel that there has been a shift towards "paternal authoritarianism" at the company - and that this was a race factor.

Meanwhile, Denel said it was not aware of any manager being demoted and that it remained committed to constructive engagement with organised labour. - Sapa