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Cosatu rejects Falcon solution

Nov 5, 2009 10:25 PM | By HARRIET MCLEA

The CEO of the Sun City security company involved in a race row in which Nelson Mandela was called a "k*****" has resigned in an attempt to "stabilise" the company, which has come under fire from trade union federation Cosatu.


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Cosatu's general secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi
Cosatu's general secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi

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But Cosatu said yesterday that Ben Burger's resignation was "not enough of an apology", claiming that Burger would benefit from the company because he was a major shareholder.

Burger, the CEO and a director of Falcon Security, was arrested following the incident, in which a racist version of the national anthem was played at a company fun day last month. Burger was released but he then fired his employee, Francois Robberts, who was alleged to have played the CD.

The security company has been contracted to Sun City for 14 years.

Cosatu rejected the company's apologies and last Saturday nearly shut down Sun City by striking. Most restaurants in the resort were closed as employees handed over a memorandum of their demands to the resort's management.

Burger said yesterday: "It has become clear to me that, particularly from the labour union's side, I am regarded to be part of the problem."

North West Cosatu spokesman Solly Phetoe said the federation "would only be happy" if the company's Sun City contract was terminated.

Phetoe said that Falcon Security was run by "people who do not respect human dignity".

"If he [Burger] resigns he's going to run the company [from] outside," said Phetoe. "Mr Burger [has] got 75% of the shares".

Falcon Security said yesterday "the incident has caused the company immeasurable damage".

Sun International had not responded to queries by The Times at the time of going to press.

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Comments

Nov 6 2009 05:26:53 AM
DDarko
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South Africa, rejects COSATU solution.
Nov 6 2009 05:49:55 AM
beezlebum
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Burger's stake in his company has got nothing to do with his racist outburst. He did the right thing by resigning. This is the same as any other ANC or Govt official who is forced to resign due to corruption, mismanagement of funds, or incompetence but still receives a golden handshake. The principle is the same.
Nov 6 2009 05:56:34 AM
bart
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Tackler, I think you should shave - you make some pretty hairy comments.
Nov 6 2009 05:58:24 AM
Dukeboy
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One of the astute bloggers suggested this furore has been designed to remove a white-owned company from their legitimate business dealings.

That there is a conspiracy to install a black-owned company.

I thought the idea had merit when it was put forward - now I'm convinced this is the position.

From what started as:

a) A mistake in not knowing was on the CD, or
b) A deliberate act by an employee

this situation has been blown out of all proportion.

One can only assume that the union is involved in the security company waiting to take over the reins or that some individual in the union has a direct interest in the new security company.

Which makes the actions of the union completely criminal.

One can only hope that Sun City refuse to capitulate.
Nov 6 2009 06:28:36 AM
Ngempela
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I thought the devil made him do it...turns out Dukeboy knows a little more than most, as usual.

If it is white it is "a situation blown out of proportion" and if it is Black "it was quoted out of context".

In SA no one is ever responsible for nothing.
Nov 6 2009 06:37:44 AM
VinceRSA
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THIS IS AFRICA!

You don't do the right and proper thing here!

YOU HANG IN THERE IN FIGHT NAILS & CLAWS until there is a political solution that pays you out handsomely - preferably at states cost.

WHAT'S NEWS in this ANC officially legislated MOST RACIST NATION on Earth today?
Nov 6 2009 06:53:04 AM
mameim
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Nothing Burger does will satisfy Cosatu. He might as well have stayed on. Just like the situation at UFS, you need someone with baklls to stand up to these thugs. When little Julie and his sidekick realised that Jansen was, in fact, black, all was forgiven and he had their complete support. When Cosatu realised that Burger was white they went on strike with a list of demands. Vavi is probably a shareholder of the new company set to take over security. I'd like to see Sun City terminate Falcon's contract then announce who the shareholders are in the new company appointed - then leave the legal action to Falcon... sue the pants off Cosatu and its fat cats.
Nov 6 2009 06:53:46 AM
NMB
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To qoute the epitomy of virtue, Tackler.
"It was just a prank"
Nov 6 2009 07:21:57 AM
Ngempela
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Burger had his own reasons for parading his bile just wondering what your reasons are mameim for supporting a criminal like him!

If you find Burger's actions not criminal that's your issue. But I think Blacks must stop tolerating people like Burger. He deserves whatever comes his way.

White pranksters must go play their pranks on their white people.
Nov 6 2009 08:27:36 AM
Sunbeam
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Just play the damn CD backwards !
Maby it will have a melktert recipe.

Seriously, the CD sucks and is offensive to Mr Mandela.

However, apologies have been offered.

What more do Cosatu want ?





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