Sibanye Gold's Aquarius Platinum Mine has moved to have 146 former mineworkers - a number of them sickly - evicted from their hostel in Kroondal, near Rustenburg, North West.
The company recently filed notice of eviction papers with the Randburg Land Claims Court and the matter will be heard on February 27. Sibanye is requesting the evictions be carried out within 60 days.
Should the occupants fail to leave the Circle Labour Hostel within the stipulated period, "the sheriff is hereby authorised and instructed to evict such persons from the land at any time after the expiry of the above-mentioned period and to take all reasonable steps to effect such intention", read the papers.
Sibanye's investor relations officer James Wellsted said: "The employees won the initial eviction case in 2009. Then there was an appeal and a judge ruled in favour of the company, saying it was within its right to evict. Next month the court will make an eviction ruling which will state when the miners should leave the premises."
However, the miners remain unshaken.
They demand the company to pay them their pension benefits they claim not to have received since they were fired in 2009 for taking part in an unprotected wage protest. At the time they were employed by Murray and Roberts Cementation.
Murray and Roberts maintained that the miners were paid their pension benefits .
"We are not going anywhere until we get what's due to us. If we leave this place now the company will see no obligations to pay us our money," said Philip Phamotse, a Lesotho national.
Most of the occupants come from neighbouring countries.
The group's spokesman, Elpideo Mutemba, said they were prepared to challenge Aquarius in court and were consulting their legal representatives.
"Our position has not changed. We won't move until we get our monies. The company can threaten us but we are not scared," Mutemba said.
The hostel is made up of 21 prefabricated rooms that are shared between five and seven occupants.
They hunt wild birds, snakes, jackals, monkeys and rats, which they cook in their rooms. Poverty and overcrowding has led to the spread of TB and other diseases.
Currently, the hostel is facing the prevalence of shingles, a potentially fatal skin condition that has affected five people.
Buyelekaya Dlelaphantsi, 46, was partially blind for days after shingles developed on his forehead two weeks ago. His skin started peeling off.
Lancet Laboratory virologist Dr Leana Maree said poor nutrition and overcrowding could have triggered the outbreak.
"Poor nutrition causes weaker immune systems and people with weak immune systems are vulnerable to shingles. It can easily be transferred from one person to another from just sharing face-cloths. It can also be fatal if not treated," Maree said.
Ex-miners defy move to evict them from hostel
Sibanye Gold's Aquarius Platinum Mine has moved to have 146 former mineworkers - a number of them sickly - evicted from their hostel in Kroondal, near Rustenburg, North West.
The company recently filed notice of eviction papers with the Randburg Land Claims Court and the matter will be heard on February 27. Sibanye is requesting the evictions be carried out within 60 days.
Should the occupants fail to leave the Circle Labour Hostel within the stipulated period, "the sheriff is hereby authorised and instructed to evict such persons from the land at any time after the expiry of the above-mentioned period and to take all reasonable steps to effect such intention", read the papers.
Sibanye's investor relations officer James Wellsted said: "The employees won the initial eviction case in 2009. Then there was an appeal and a judge ruled in favour of the company, saying it was within its right to evict. Next month the court will make an eviction ruling which will state when the miners should leave the premises."
However, the miners remain unshaken.
They demand the company to pay them their pension benefits they claim not to have received since they were fired in 2009 for taking part in an unprotected wage protest. At the time they were employed by Murray and Roberts Cementation.
Murray and Roberts maintained that the miners were paid their pension benefits .
"We are not going anywhere until we get what's due to us. If we leave this place now the company will see no obligations to pay us our money," said Philip Phamotse, a Lesotho national.
Most of the occupants come from neighbouring countries.
The group's spokesman, Elpideo Mutemba, said they were prepared to challenge Aquarius in court and were consulting their legal representatives.
"Our position has not changed. We won't move until we get our monies. The company can threaten us but we are not scared," Mutemba said.
The hostel is made up of 21 prefabricated rooms that are shared between five and seven occupants.
They hunt wild birds, snakes, jackals, monkeys and rats, which they cook in their rooms. Poverty and overcrowding has led to the spread of TB and other diseases.
Currently, the hostel is facing the prevalence of shingles, a potentially fatal skin condition that has affected five people.
Buyelekaya Dlelaphantsi, 46, was partially blind for days after shingles developed on his forehead two weeks ago. His skin started peeling off.
Lancet Laboratory virologist Dr Leana Maree said poor nutrition and overcrowding could have triggered the outbreak.
"Poor nutrition causes weaker immune systems and people with weak immune systems are vulnerable to shingles. It can easily be transferred from one person to another from just sharing face-cloths. It can also be fatal if not treated," Maree said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos