Luzuko Pongoma

Luzuko Pongoma

Gautrain employees in Midrand suspended their strike yesterday after supervisor Stephan van Tonder was suspended pending an investigation into allegations that he had called a black employee a "f***ing k***ir" .

Union spokesman Conwell Makhanya said that the strike would be suspended until the investigation into the behaviour of Stephan van Tonder and an industrial relations manager at the site, Gerhardes Cloete, was concluded.

Makhanya said that the unions and the bosses, Bombela, had agreed that the company had lost productivity and that employees had lost income.

"We will make a plan to work overtime and recover the income the workers lost."

Thabo Bolofo, who was allegedly assaulted by Van Tonder, went to work yesterday to deliver a sick leave note as he was still not feeling well.

He said that the police at the Midrand police station had refused to open a case of assault against Van Tonder.

Midrand police spokesman Mmakgomo Semono said Bolofo should go back to the police station and open the case.

In another twist, Van Tonder laid charges of assault against Bolofo with Bombela.