Sun City Firmly Rejects Assertions by Cosatu Secretary in the North West

[Johannesburg, 22 January 2012] Sun International today said that it was "very disappointed" that the Secretary of Cosatu in the North West, Mr Solly Phetoe, had levelled accusations of racism at the company on the basis of an incident at Sun City where minors were being sexually harassed and the company's outsourced security service provider had responded to complaints by their parents.

Sun International Acting CE, Garth Collins, said that the company was "incensed" at the accusation of racism by the Secretary in the Province and that Sun City - like all its other properties - complied with and exceeded the very highest standards of human rights protection and commitment to empowerment.

"In this latest incident, employees of our outsourced security service provider, 24/7, had been accused of inappropriate behaviour in apprehending suspects at the Valley of the Waves who had been accused of molesting young girls under the water. The Secretary of Cosatu in the North West took up this incident, despite it not being a labour-related matter, and did not report it to Sun City, rather simply engaging the media. The Secretary showed no concern for the real victims of this appalling incident, who were minors.

"It is clear that there was an infringement of procedure in the apprehension of those responsible, which we don't condone, and the individuals concerned have been suspended pending the outcome of their disciplinary processes. However, there is no evidence at the moment to suggest that the suspects in this incident were "electrocuted" and burned with cigarettes as stated in The Secretary's press release. On the evidence available, the security official concerned made no physical contact with those apprehended at all.

"We are in the process of appointing KPMG to conduct an independent investigation into the actions of 24/7, after having failed to reach agreement on the process of the investigation with the union. However, to characterise this as a race-based incident with associated threats by Cosatu in the North West is disappointing and irresponsible.

"It's a great shame that the Secretary seems to be focusing on driving his own agenda instead of concerning himself with the real victims of this incident, whose parents have elected not to file criminal charges given the trauma this may cause to the children concerned.

"We strongly object to being labelled racist by the Secretary and are considering our options in this regard."

"Sun International's focus is on ensuring that Sun City remains the employer of choice in the province and will continue to work with the recognised trade union, SACCAWU, to achieve this."