VW of SA shut down its Uitenhage plant and sent staff home because of a strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) in the component industry.

“Volkswagen of SA was regrettably forced to close its Uitenhage-based production plant indefinitely after the morning shift today,” the company said in a statement.

There was no strike at the plant itself, but the strike by people in the components industry would result in substantially less Polo vehicles destined for worldwide right-hand drive markets.

Volumes of Polo and Polo Vivo models destined for the local market would also be affected.

Employees were advised that, as soon as the supply of components resumed, they would be told and asked to return to work. Workers who were sent home would not be paid.

The company regretted the situation, which came after an eight-day strike in the motor manufacturing industry and which had a severe impact on customer deliveries.