At the centre off the dispute, is a fraud investigation launched by BMW SA into bribery and corruption at the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme (BEMAS) while workers claim their action is directed against possible retrenchments at the plant.

According to reports, the SA Police Service was called in to control the situation just outside of the plant.

BMW Group South Africa says in a statement it can confirm a protest action outside the Rosslyn plant in response to an ongoing fraud investigation within the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme (BEMAS).

“We are co-operating with law enforcement in their investigation to ensure that the rule of law is upheld. BMW Group South Africa will not tolerate any acts of bribery, fraud or corruption by its employees. All internal policies and procedures are being followed, and the necessary disciplinary action will be taken against any employee found in transgression of our Disciplinary Code.”

The rumours of workforce reduction to cut a shift are untrue, says the car maker, and should there be any termination of an associate's contract owing to the fraud investigation, we will recruit and upskill new associates, ensuring business continuity.

“The integrity of BEMAS is critical to our value proposition as an employer. Its core function is to guarantee that our employees and their families have access to the best possible healthcare,” the statement concludes.

• The plant at Rosslyn recently produced the last of the current third generation BMW X3s with production of the new fourth generation X3 scheduled to kick off in October. BMW said in statement last month, celebrating the end of the last X3 to come of the production line, that the next generation’s production at Rosslyn will secure the future of the plant for the next 50 years. “This decision further ensures the livelihood of more than 20 000 people directly and indirectly employed at BMW Group South Africa’s facilities and within its supply chain,” according to BMW SA.