GOLD One mineworkers in Springs, Ekurhuleni are at it again and this time the situation is tense as 447 workers have staged a sit-in underground.
The night shift team was supposed to finish their shift on Friday, 8 December, but they remained underground. It's alleged that the underground workers are in support of 52 workers who were dismissed on Thursday, 7 December.
Mine management has labeled the incident as a "hostage".
The head of legal services in the mine, Ziyaad Hassam, said workers are held against their will. He said they are worried that the situation might get worse.
"There is no communication with the workers held underground because the lines have been disconnected. Some of the workers held underground are contractors who are not affiliated to any unions," said Hassam.
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He said the workers who were dismissed are not happy with the outcome of the disciplinary hearings and can launch an appeal.
Mineworker, Lucky Mthombeni, told Daily Sun on Friday, 8 December that he lost his job.
Lucky (56) from Kwa-Thema in Ekurhuleni went for a disciplinary hearing at he mine offices in Groovlei in Benoni and was given his dismissal letter.
"I'm still shocked that I have lost my job. Nothing was explained to me except being given the letter of dismissal," said Lucky.
He said the dismissal letter did not specify the charges.
"We as dismissed workers are left in limbo without jobs. It's painful to lose a job, especially in December. My children will suffer. The mine must consider overruling its decision and take us back," said Lucky.
