GOLD One mineworkers in Springs, Ekurhuleni, are still staging a sit-in underground.
More than 400 workers who did night shifts on Thursday, 7 December, are in support of the workers who have been dismissed by the mine.
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 70 workers who were dismissed since the disciplinary hearings were conducted by the company.
It has been now three days, and workers are still underground.
The workers who picketed outside the mine on Sunday, 10 December, said they want the company to reinstate the workers who have been dismissed and cancel all the suspension letters which were given to workers.
Lesiba Leso said they will continue to support the workers who are still underground.
"The company should listen to workers' demands and stop the disciplinary hearings."
"We want all the people who have been dismissed to be reinstated."
"All these people have families to support they need to be given their jobs back," he said.
Gold One mineworkers picket outside the mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni, in support of their underground colleagues. Video by Happy Mnguni pic.twitter.com/hY3raPclRp
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) December 10, 2023
ALSO READ: Mineworkers stage sit-in underground
Another worker, Lungile Mangena, said she was supposed to be among the workers who were still underground.
"I'm part of the shift team that is underground. I didn't go to work on Thursday because I received an SMS from employers stating that I should attend a disciplinary hearing on Friday, 8 December," said Lungile.
She said she's worried she might lose her job.
"I didn't go to the hearing on Friday because there was no transport to mine offices in Grootvlei in Springs.
"I'm worried I will lose my job. All those who went to the disciplinary hearings have been dismissed," Lungile said.
She said the workers were dismissed after they took part in the alleged hostage incident which happened in October, where workers spent three days underground.
The workers wanted the company to recognise Amcu as their new union.
The workers are still members of the NUM union.
Mine management has labelled the incident as a "hostage".
The head of legal in the mine, Ziyaad Hassam, said workers were 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 Ziyaad.
