Bring stability to mines: Motlanthe

All participants in the mining sector have a role to play to bring stability, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Tuesday.

 

"Each role-player must engage in building a relationship based on trust... each partner bring in an unique contribution to ensure stability," he said.

 

Motlanthe was speaking at the three-day mining lekgotla in Johannesburg.

 

He recently brokered a framework agreement with mining companies and trade unions aimed at restoring peace and stability in the mining sector.

 

All trade unions except the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) signed the framework agreement.

 

This was after violence erupted in the Rustenburg platinum belt during the Marikana strike last year that claimed 44 lives.

 

Thirty-four mineworkers were killed when the police fired on them on August 16, 2012. Ten other people, including two security guards and two policemen, were killed in the preceding week.

 

Motlanthe said everyone had to work together to bring peace and stability in the mining sector.

 

Mining companies had a responsibility to ensure that workers were accommodated in proper housing.

 

A group of people protested outside the Sandton Convention Centre.

 

The group from villages near mining operations said they were not included in the lekgotla.

 

-Sapa