Over 200 Sibanye-Stillwater miners dismissed for underground sit-in
Mining giant Sibanye-Stilwater has dismissed more than 200 mineworkers who staged an underground protest at one of its shafts in Rustenburg last week.
The miners, affiliated to unions NUM and AMCU, downed tools on Monday against the proposed Employee Share Ownership Scheme for Kroondal mine employees.
The mine management said the dividends would not be paid due to an outstanding 50% acquisition of Anglo Platinum’s share in the Kroondal mine, which has yet to be concluded.
Sibanye spokesperson James Wellstead said the unions representing the workers did not support the strike.
"The workers who staged an illegal underground sit-in, in terms of the Labour Relations Act, were given three ultimatums, obviously to return to the surface and engage through the established channels or the union. The unions also asked the members to come up.
"But they refused and stayed underground until Wednesday. Therefore, they have been issued with dismissal notices, but they obviously have the right to appeal their dismissals, so I am sure that will happen.
"I am not sure about the exact number, but it was 213 employees who staged an underground protest.”
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