Pretoria - Transnet has sought a court order against violence perpetuated by striking workers.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon the transport parastatal said it was concerned about the levels of violence and intimidation as a result of a wage strike that began on Monday.
Day three of the strike by the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) who are now being joined by the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) will see the number of strikers double.
Utatu general secretary Chris de Vos said the union officially joined the strike today. The unions are demanding a 15 percent wage increase across the board while the parastal is only offering 11 percent.
Transnet says it is "deeply concerned" at the levels of violence shown.
"We welcome the Labour Court's decision ordering trade union, Satawu, to stop the use of violence. Transnet had sought relief from the Labour Court on Monday after several incidents of violence intended to intimidate non-striking employees by members of Satawu," said the parastatal.
"Management is now focusing its energy on protecting Transnet's business, its assets and people, and we are doing everything possible to move strategic freight for our customers," it said.
On Tuesday, Satawu said the strike will continue with mass marches in Durban and Polokwane scheduled for today.
Satawu policy researcher Jane Barrett said a mass march is scheduled for Johannesburg on Friday.
There were media reports that the strike could lead to fuel shortages.
Transnet was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday morning.
