Solidarity plans legal action against Gold One Mine for hostage saga
Trade union Solidarity says it is discussing the possibility of legal action against Gold One Mine for the hostage situation that took place at its mine in Springs.
In October, hundreds of miners were held underground at the Springs mine for several days due to an alleged long-standing rivalry between Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) over organising rights.
AMCU has denied the claims that its members held other workers hostage and insisted the workers staging a sit-in.
Solidarity Deputy General Secretary, Paul Mardon, says the health and safety of the miners should be top priority.
“Solidarity is going to hold the management of Gold One Mine in Gauteng accountable for the hostage drama that happened approximately for 5 days at this mine near Springs. We’ve consulted with our legal team and are preparing court documents that address the mines lack of action to prevent or defuse the situation that took place there.
“Gold One as the employer is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of its employees at work and Gold One failed to protect the members who were held hostage underground.”
Mardon says it is concerning that politics and union rivalry resulted in the lives of mineworkers being risked.
“We are also contemplating taking civil action against the union and Gold One on behalf of the members involved in this. We also call for those who are guilty should be dismissed and prosecuted. It is unsettling that apparent labour disputes, trade union rivalry and politics result in this blatant illegal actions.
“We wrote a letter to Gold One, demanding that they take action, we are waiting for their reply and should they not take action by 27 December we will proceed with legal action against them as well.”
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