Gold One underground sit-in continues, 400 workers still underground
Management at Gold One Modder East operation in Springs were continuing to work with the police on Monday to try and resolve the underground sit-in at the mine.
This is according to head of legal, Ziyaad Hassam, who says the matter is now treated as a hostage situation.
The second sit-in at the mine, east of Johannesburg, is in protest against the dismissal of more than 50 workers and the recognition of the mineworkers union AMCU.
Miners have reportedly been held against their will for a fourth day now.
Hassam says while nine workers have managed to resurface, the situation remains critical.
"There was an escalation of violence underground yesterday (Sunday) as we received reports of 10 assaults and several failed attempts to escape.
Eight people were released yesterday evening and one earlier in the afternoon who is recovering in the hospital. We are seriously concerned for the health and safety of all underground employees," says Hassam.
Hassam says over 400 people remain underground.
"The instigators of the hostage situation are demanding that all employees dismissed following their involvement in the previous hostage situation be reinstated.
"We have made it very clear to both unions that should any employee be dissatisfied with the outcome of the disciplinary process; they are at liberty to lodge internal appeals as well as to refer the matter to the CCMA."
Hassam says the management engaged with Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who also labelled the matter as a hostage situation.
"He also urged the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) to assist in deescalating the situation, however, AMCU has distanced itself from this event and will only meet with the management on the 14 December following the termination of the closed shop agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)," he added.
NUM has had exclusive rights to represent workers at the mine since 2012.
It terminated the agreement after the first hostage situation.
Speaking after his visit at the mine, Mantashe said the police would have to intervene.
"The situation changed dramatically; it became a hostage drama in the sense that three people came out underground heavily beaten.
"And once you begin to people up, it means they are underground against their will and therefore will be dealt with as an offence requiring police intervention," he said.
Hassam says the police remain on scene but thus far are reluctant to engage with those underground.
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