Lonmin: August 16 ‘a painful day’
Platinum producer Lonmin held a memorial ceremony in Mooinooi on Wednesday for the 44 workers who were killed by the during a week-long wage strike in August 2012.
The workers were demanding a monthly wage of R12 500.
This year marks six years since the massacre that saw many families left without a breadwinner.
“You are joining us on a day that is always painful and tender for us as a company. It’s a week that changed our lives as an organisation, this is a time that is always sacred to us for remembrance, it has also been a time to honour the huge sacrifice,” Lonmin Executive Khaya Ngcwembe told the media.
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He said by the end of 2018, the company would have invested R500 million in housing since 2013 for employees and their families.
“Another issue that has received our priority is the livelihood of our employees. I am very pleased once again to report that rock drillers can now earn a cash package of R15 770 and R17 950 if you include medical aid."
Ngcwembe believes the relationship between Lonmin and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is on solid ground thanks to a three-year salary agreement.
He assured workers, families and community members that the potential sale of the company to Sibanye Stillwater won’t have a detrimental effect on them.
A commemoration ceremony will be held at the site where 34 miners were shot and killed by police officers and others injured on Thursday.