A 39-YEAR-OLD man from Bezuidenhout Valley in eastern Johannesburg says he was humiliated when his manager called him a baboon in front of colleagues

Nhlanhla "Chico" Rikhotso has been working as a yard assistant at SA French, a company offering tower cranes and lifting solutions, for four years.

Rikhotso said he was doing his daily rounds when Danie Roos, the yard manager, allegedly made a joke in Afrikaans to a colleague. They both laughed.

Roos allegedly said: "Hei, wat doen jy as jy daar op 'n klip sit soos 'n bobbejaan? (Hey, what are you doing sitting there on a rock like a baboon?)"

"I was deeply hurt," Rikhotso said. "I have been loyal to the company and this man, and he sees me as a bobbejaan. I could not sleep since what had happened kept on replaying in my mind. I was in tears. I felt that this man had disrespected me."

When Rikhotso complained to Quentin van Breda, the executive chairman of SA French, he was allegedly told there was nothing to be done as Roos brought a lot of money into the business.

"Van Breda told me that I am nothing but a sweeping man in this company. Roos is bringing in more money and he won't sacrifice Roos for me. Van Breda even threatened to shoot and kill me if I do not leave his office," said Rikhotso.

Van Breda denied threatening to kill Rikhotso.

According to Van Breda, he threatened to throw a calculator at Rikhotso as he was shouting in Van Breda's office.

"I do not think Chico heard everything I said as he was hysterically screaming at me. I advised him to lay a formal complaint so that disciplinary action can be taken against Roos, but he refused. Instead he said he was going to the police."

The police confirmed that a complaint of crimen injuria had been laid against Roos at the Bedfordview police station.

Rikhotso said he was afraid to return to work.

- lerato@sowetan.co.za

• This article was first published in print on Friday 3 August