The New Age writes that tensions between organised labour and Sibanye Gold management are on a knife edge at the gold producer’s Cooke operations in Westonaria.
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) deputy president Joseph Montisetse told The New Age that the union would be taking legal action against Sibanye.
He accused the company of providing “lax security” during an illegal gathering that led to the death of NUM member Ranthimo Nkosi.
“It is clear that the company will not put a stop to the bloodshed. We will sue them, we want the company to pay for the member who died and others who were assaulted,” Montisetse said.
He accused the company of transporting members associated with Amcu to the company’s Cooke 2 shaft for an illegal gathering. NUM claims the dead man was killed by Amcu members.
“We have instructed the company to give us footage of the incident. We want clear information about the people who assaulted and killed our member. If Amcu members were involved, we’ll take action.”
Montisetse’s comments come against the background of a mass meeting at Sibanye Gold’s Cooke 3 mine on Wednesday.
The union met to chart a way forward after various attacks on its members across Sibanye’s Cooke operations. The attacks have now renewed hostilities between the NUM and its long-standing rival Amcu.
“If the company allows illegal gatherings, our members must gather together and defend themselves. If they provoke us, we’ll gather illegally,” Montisetse said.
Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted rejected the NUM allegations that the company created an environment for the union’s members to be susceptible to attacks at the company’s operations.
While he confirmed that there was an illegal gathering at the Cooke 2 mine by “Amcu supporters”, he rejected the NUM allegations that the company was complicit in the acts.
“Why would we assist in protest action that affects our company operations? It’s not sensible. We did have our security there and we called the police to assist,” Wellsted said.
He said that the company was investigating the matter and would take appropriate action to bring those responsible to book.
“We’re busy investigating and if we are able to identify the perpetrators, we’ll take appropriate action and it could include murder charges.”
Wellsted, making reference to the protection of workers at the company’s various hostels, said that the company was overwhelmed by providing security for workers.
“A lot of the assaults happened at a long distance from work areas from 12am to 3am so our ability to ensure safety is difficult under those circumstances.”
Wellsted said that Sibanye would take disciplinary action against workers who participated in the illegal gathering.
Amcu spokesperson Manzini Zungu said recently in response to the NUM’s allegations that Amcu members were responsible for meting out violence against NUM members: “It doesn’t matter who did the crime, the law should take its course.”
Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Wednesday that he would convene a high-level meeting with industry stakeholders to tackle labour instability over health and safety issues, among others.
This report by Bonolo Selebano is on page 4 of The New Age of 14 October 2016