Police take control of Gold One hostage situation
The South African Police Service took control of the situation at Gold One Modder East Mine in Springs, east of Johannesburg.
More than 540 workers have been underground since Sunday.
The workers have allegedly been prevented from coming back to the surface in what is believed to be a dispute between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).
It has been alleged that the workers were held hostage by Amcu-affiliated workers.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) claimed that workers who are held hostage belong are its members.
But AMCU's Krister Janse van Rensburg insists that no one is being held hostage.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says they are treating this as a hostage situation.
Muridili says Provincial Commissioner Elias Mawela held discussions with the mine's management and a Joint Operational Centre (JOC) was established
"The JOC comprises of members from Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Unit, Visible Policing, Detectives, SAPS Hostage Negotiators, Crime Intelligence, EMPD as well as Mine Security personnel among other stakeholders," says Muridili.
The police also confirmed that three more people had been taken hostage after they were sent down to assist a person who was injured.
"The three are two paramedics and a security officer who was escorting them," says Muridili.
Meanwhile, the company has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of the affected all employees.
"We are actively working with all relevant stakeholders to resolve this matter.
"Over the past 48 hours, we have taken several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all our employees.
"Regrettably, over 500 of our employees, including at least 15 injured, are still being held hostage underground.
"We are gravely concerned for their physical, mental and emotional safety," says the head of legal Ziyaad Hassam.
Hassam says the company obtained a second judgment from the Labour Court declaring AMCU’s conduct illegal.
"Their continued actions are therefore unlawful and in contempt of two court orders. We have also held extensive engagements with the SAPS, who have set up an operations center at the mine and have been locked in conciliation proceedings facilitated by senior commissioners appointed by the CCMA.
"Whilst we are committed to allow all legal processes to take its course, our primary commitment remains the safety of our employees."
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