Working evening shifts has become a nightmare for employees of Kwena Spar in Gaborone Block Six as they have to deal with constant attacks by thugs who ambush them after they knock off at night because the supermarket does not provide courtesy transport for staff.
The Evening shift runs until 2100 hours when most of the public transport operators would have already retired for the night. Some of the employees (all of whom preferred to speak on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation) do not reside within a walking distance of the complex. They say hitchhiking is the order of the day.
“Last night I arrived at home cold and drenched as I had to walk all the way from Block Six to Block 10 in the rain because I could not get a ride,” said one employee.
Another staff member said she had been attacked twice in a month losing her phones, money and other possessions in both incidents. She claims several of her colleagues have also been attacked and robbed of the belongings.
One had to resign his job after allegedly being attacked and badly beaten to by thugs on his way home. He has since found another job.
Responding to a question on why they do not provide courtesy transport the shop manager, who preferred to be referred to only as Vijay, said they are not required to provide transport because 2100 hours is relatively not that late.
He said the employees are made aware of the working hours before being hired and they still choose to accept the job anyway.
“It is their job to decide whether or not they can cope with working late and if they choose to accept the job it is their own responsibility to find safer and convenient ways to get home after work,” he said.
However, Vijay denied receiving any reports from staff about being attacked after work.
