Menzgold customers arrested for invading company premises (UPDATE)

Eight customers of gold dealership firm, Menzgold Ghana Limited, were Friday arrested for allegedly attacking the office of an affiliate company, Zylofon FM at East Legon, Accra.

They are said to have pelted stones at the property and people in it.

Confirming the arrest, the Head of Communications at Menzgold, Nii Amarh Amarteifio  said the aggrieved customers, numbering about 20, first went to the Dzorwulu branch of the company but left to Zylon FM when they realised that there were no members of staff at work.

He said upon reaching Zylon FM, they were allowed in by the police personnel and private security guards on duty.

According to him, they demanded to speak to Blakk Rasta who was not around at the time.

He said when Blakk Rasta arrived, he addressed them and told them that he would relay their grievances to the management on Monday.

He said, unsatisfied with the response from Blakk Rasta, they sought to speak to the manager of Zylon FM, Sammy Flex; but he was also not around.

According to Nii Amarteifio, the customers then became violent because Sammy Flex was not around to speak to them.

He said a police reinforcement was called in to control them and eight of them were arrested and sent to the Accra Central Police Station where they were charged with unlawful entry and unlawful detention.

“When they were unable to speak to Sammy Flex, they threatened to lock up the staff who were on duty at the time. They have been bailed and asked to report to the police on Monday.”

Describing the situation as unfortunate, Nii Amarteifio assured that customers would be paid their monies as promised.

“It’s quite unfortunate that this had to happen. I know they are agitated but violence isn’t a way to go. We haven’t said anywhere that we are not going to pay them, we will pay them.”

In an intervivew with Myjoyonline.com, Superintendent Kwesi Ofori said the eight were picked up after they declined to leave premises when the policemen stationed there appealed to them to do so.

“Today is a public holiday. A group of boys violently massed up here, throwing stones and attacking personnel working here.

“One thing that the police will like to remind everybody is that one cannot take the laws into his or her own hands. It is criminal to equip yourselves with missiles like stones and materials to cause injury and harm,” he said.

He added the police will not allow anyone to take the laws into their own hands.

Meanwhile, employees of Menzgold have been directed to proceed on leave effective Monday, December 10, 2018.

Branch managers have, however, been transferred to work temporarily at the company’s head office at Dzorwulu in Accra.

The members of staff numbering about 1,200, are expected to resume work on Thursday, December 20, 2018.