Disturbing footage from a recent revolt at the Pick n Pay distribution centre in Longmeadow, East Rand, has surfaced on social media, casting a dark shadow over the giant retailer’s human resource practices.
Pick n Pay Longmeadow distribution centre revolt: Here’s what we know
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Without context, the series of videos attached below are jarring. A social media microblogging account, renowned for riling up audiences with xenophobic content, shared images and videos of an alleged staff revolt that unfolded at the distribution centre.
According to the microblogger, a collective of illegal immigrants hired by RSC, a third-party contractor, were disgruntled after they were allegedly unfairly dismissed.
When the staffers confronted management at the distribution centre, things went awry.
Video footage shows private security chasing a group dressed in warehouse uniform away from the Longmeadow Business Park, pelting them with rocks and firing what could be rubber bullets, albeit we were unable to confirm this.
In one video, a line manager could be heard giving staffers an ultimatum: join the revolt and lose your job, or commit to the company and forego your frustrations for a chance to receive a bonus.
While our requests for comment from RSC were not heeded when this article was published, Pick n Pay did shed more light on the situation.
In a statement, a senior-level director in charge of Pick n Pay’s corporate image confirmed the incident indeed occurred last week and only involved RSC employees.
“None of the people involved are employees of Pick n Pay,” the director reiterated.
According to Pick n Pay, a group of RSC employees revolted after they were “fairly dismissed by their employer.”
“The incident was soon resolved with minimal disruption to our business’s operations,” she added.
The director admitted that the footage doing the rounds on social media was disturbing and that the retailer would engage with RSC.
This isn’t the first time Pick n Pay’s distribution centre in Longmeadow has come under the spotlight over shoddy labour practices.
In August 2022, staffers staged a revolt at the centre over wages and, as seen in the footage in this article, the confrontation led to fiery clashes.
Speculation was rife on social media, suggesting Operation Dudula, an extremist vigilante group, would stage a demonstration at the Pick n Pay Longmeadow distribution centre.
However, from what we understand, no such arrangements have been confirmed by the group.
Watch the videos of last week’s revolt below: