100 mineworkers escape hostage situation at Gold One
Gold One has confirmed that approximately 100 mineworkers have returned to the surface at its Modderfontein mine in Springs, east of Johannesburg.
More than 540 workers had been underground for three days.
The workers were allegedly been prevented from coming back to the surface in what is believed to be a dispute between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).
NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mamburu said the workers managed to escape on Wednesday morning.
"They managed to overpower those who were holding them hostage. That is when they get an opportunity to run away and come to the surface. The majority of them are crying and very emotional. They say they nearly died underground because of the hostage situation.
“So, while we were talking to them, they were being taken to the medical stations for checkups.
“They say they are willing to speak to the police to expose the ringleaders who were responsible for the hostage situation.
“As the NUM, we are calling on the police to take strong action against the ring leaders who were responsible for this hostage situation," he said.
Meanwhile, the company's legal head Ziyaad Hassam, disputed claims that workers have been trying to move from NUM to AMCU, only for the company to delay the process.
"For the past five months, AMCU has been seeking organisational rights within the mine.
“We have a closed-shop agreement with the NUM, and for as long as the closed-shop agreement remains in force, AMCU’s request for organisational rights is subordinate to the closed-shop agreement.
“This was corroborated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and the Labour Court. So the allegation about the company dragging its feet is not correct," he said.
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