The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has been interdicted from engaging in illegal strike or any conduct involving the detention or assault of employees.
This amid reports that members belonging to Amcu have taken over 500 mineworkers hostage at a mine in Springs, east of Johannesburg.
Hundreds of workers employed by Gold One Modder East Operations mine have been stuck underground since Sunday.
The leadership of Amcu has since dismissed the reports that its members have taken their colleagues a hostage.
In a statement, Gold One said it was granted an interdict by the Labour Court on Monday afternoon.
Mine concerned about sit-in
“Gold One’s Modder East Operations in Springs is aware and profoundly concerned about the ongoing sit-in, which has resulted in over 500 employees being held hostage underground with at least nine employees sustaining injuries,” said Gold One CEO Jonathan Hericourt.
“We address this situation with the utmost gravity and remain dedicated to resolving it in a manner that prioritises the wellbeing and safety of all our employees.
“We are actively engaging with relevant authorities including the DMRE [Department of Mineral Resources and Energy] and the SAPS [SA Police Service] to ensure the safety and protection of all parties involved.
“Furthermore, we have initiated legal proceedings to address the situation swiftly and judiciously and have been granted an interdict.
“This interdict prohibits Amcu and its members from engaging in any illegal strike or any conduct involving the detention or assault of employees.”
Hericourt said the situation remains fluid, adding that the mine will communicate regular updates to all stakeholders.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika on Monday, Amcu general secretary Jeff Mphahlele said hundreds of mineworkers refused to come out of the Gold One mine after they finished their night shift duty on Monday morning.
“Let me correct one thing, it is not correct that Amcu is holding people at ransom underground or hostage. This is a night shift that did not come out completely,” he said.
“The night shift that was supposed to knock off this morning decided to stay underground. So, to say it is Amcu holding people underground is not correct. It is not true.”
It is understood that the miners are refusing to come out underground because of their frustration over the mine’s delay to allow them to join Amcu.
Workers’ interest to join Amcu
Mphahlele said about 1 700 workers of the mine have indicated their interest to join the union.
The mining group currently employs a total of 1 870 workers.
“A total of 1 700 members have indicated that they want to join Amcu,” said Mphahlele.
“We have submitted their stop-order forms but this mine has been protecting one union, the NUM [National Union of Mineworkers] … Our request [for the miners to join Amcu] has not been granted.”
He added that he does not know if the miners who want to come out from underground are allowed to do so, noting that management should take the blame for what is happening underground.
“We fully understand the conditions underground. They are treacherous and it is not a place to stay in.
“We asked the management that we should go underground and hear what the concerns of the miners are, but they are refusing.
“We want a solution to this problem. The management has barred us as a union from representing our members.”
