About 543 miners are being kept underground against their will at Gold One Modder East Mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni, allegedly by members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday.
NUM PWV regional office bearer Xolani Mkhabela confirmed the workers have been held hostage since Sunday.
Speaking to TimesLIVE on Monday, he said NUM representatives of were going underground to try to get their members released.
“We are preparing to get our members from underground. We are concerned that till this time there is no proper approach to this situation and our members are in danger,” he said.
It should be noted that Amcu is not a “recognised union in this particular mine”, he said.
Processes at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration had ended with a deadlock and Amcu opted for a strike certificate rather than going for arbitration, which was the shortest route.
“But remember that the employer has a right to interdict the strike, which was done, and the labour court held the matter and put everything on hold while waiting for the verdict.
“We were notified yesterday [Sunday] that there is a crisis underground and our members are held hostage until management responds to their demands. We can confirm Gold One Modder East Mine is governed by section 26 of the Labour Relations Act that Amcu should apply to be part [of] before any process,” he said.
TimesLIVE has asked Amcu officials for comment. The story will be updated when they respond.
TimesLIVE
Almost 550 miners reportedly held hostage underground in Springs
Image: Sowetan
About 543 miners are being kept underground against their will at Gold One Modder East Mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni, allegedly by members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday.
NUM PWV regional office bearer Xolani Mkhabela confirmed the workers have been held hostage since Sunday.
Speaking to TimesLIVE on Monday, he said NUM representatives of were going underground to try to get their members released.
“We are preparing to get our members from underground. We are concerned that till this time there is no proper approach to this situation and our members are in danger,” he said.
It should be noted that Amcu is not a “recognised union in this particular mine”, he said.
Processes at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration had ended with a deadlock and Amcu opted for a strike certificate rather than going for arbitration, which was the shortest route.
“But remember that the employer has a right to interdict the strike, which was done, and the labour court held the matter and put everything on hold while waiting for the verdict.
“We were notified yesterday [Sunday] that there is a crisis underground and our members are held hostage until management responds to their demands. We can confirm Gold One Modder East Mine is governed by section 26 of the Labour Relations Act that Amcu should apply to be part [of] before any process,” he said.
TimesLIVE has asked Amcu officials for comment. The story will be updated when they respond.
TimesLIVE
Magistrate blasts Lily mine owners and state officials over deaths
Zama zamas: Police are zooming in on ‘big guns’, says Bheki Cele
SA and Lesotho join forces to fight illegal mining
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
Related articles
Latest Videos