THANDI XABA
Just over 40 Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs) workers, who are members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), disrupted a live Free State Arts Festival performance at the Sand Du Plessis theatre in Bloemfontein, by marching on stage last night.
The well-known children’s play ‘Liewe Heksie’ was about 15 minutes in progression when the workers barged on stage and disrupted the production.
Nehawu chairperson, Sello Rampaku, says their reasons for disrupting and ultimately causing the production to be cancelled are the unbearable working conditions and poor management they are subjected to at Pacofs.
He adds that the current CEO of the company, Teboho Macholo, issued some of the members with protection orders because they had voiced their dissatisfaction.
Police presence was visible throughout the evacuation of the audience and no arrests or injuries were reported during the disruptions.
