Supplement:

Tensions between the South African textile and clothing industry escalated when two companies defy the wage agreement and prohibit the entry of court officials into their business premises.

On Thursday, a court executive was prevented from obtaining the assets of a garment manufacturing company in Newcastle, Kwazulu - Natal, which violated the minimum wage law.

According to reports, the wages paid by the two companies were 600 thousand Rand and 1 million 500 thousand Rand respectively.

Leon, national compliance manager of the National Consultative Committee of South African clothing manufacturing industry, said court officials used various methods to seek compliance with the minimum wage law, but were threatened by violence.

"Owners of these companies must have gotten the news beforehand because they had been waiting for the court staff to settle down in the first company," Leon said.

They do not allow staff to enter their business premises. They take ambiguous measures to deal with them and refuse to carry out their obligations.

The staff did not see factory owners, nor did they see their employees. They threatened the workers.

These companies openly defy the government's laws to raise the minimum wage for workers.

The South African Consultative Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow.