Northam platinum suspends operations

Mine management stopped operations to ensure the safety of its employees and company property after some workers embarked on an unprotected strike earlier in the week, spokeswoman Marion Brower said in a statement. 

 

"This decision has been taken amidst rising tension at the mine, owing to incidents of intimidation, assault and threats of violence towards non-striking employees and damage to property on 15 January  2015."

 

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said its members went on a strike on Tuesday night.

   

The union's chief negotiator at Northam Platinum, Ecliff Tantsi, said the workers' demands were policy-related.
  

On Wednesday, the Labour Court granted an interim interdict to end the strike.

"A large number of employees signalled a desire to return to work on 15 January in line with the direction of the Labour Court," she said.
   

Disciplinary proceedings, including dismissals, would be implemented for those who did not return to work following the interdict.

 

Mine management was engaging with the NUM to try and normalise operations.