NUM confirms Implats mine 3-day protest is over, talks due in new year

 Image: Thulani Mbele

Mineworkers, who were part of an illegal protest held underground at an Implats mine and some of whom were held hostage, have emerged after protest leaders agreed to engage in talks with management in the coming year, according to the National Union of Mineworkers.

 The protest initially involved 2,205 employees at the North and South shafts of Implats' Bafokeng Rasimone mine, starting on Monday. The grievances included disputes over pension and provident fund payouts when Implats took over the mine from Royal Bafokeng. Protest leaders also expressed concerns about being "over-taxed" during September's share dividends and demanded a refund.

 All mineworkers resurfaced on the third day of the protest, following persuasive efforts. According to Geoffrey Moatshe, the NUM Rustenburg regional secretary, the workers were released for three main reasons: the mine management set a deadline, the impending Christmas break, and the approaching payday.

 Moatshe assured that the issues leading to the three-day hostage situation would be addressed in the new year. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing health and safety concerns for the workers, with the other issues to be tackled subsequently. Family members anxiously waited outside the shafts, expressing concerns about the well-being of their relatives, including access to chronic medication.

 Initially perceived as a united sit-in, some workers who managed to escape and resurface revealed to NUM that they were held against their will. Moatshe stated that those affected were not expected to report for duty on Thursday, the last day before the holiday break, due to the recent developments.

Source: Timeslive