Chabane asks Lonmin to suspend ultimatum

Striking miners chant slogans outside the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg. Photo: Reuters

Striking miners chant slogans outside the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg. Photo: Reuters

Published Aug 21, 2012

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North West - Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane has called on Lonmin platinum mine in Rustenburg in the North West to suspend the Tuesday morning deadline for workers to return to work or face dismissal.

“We hope they will understand the gravity of the situation,” Chabane told SAfm.

He said after discussions with mine management “we thought they (the mine) understood that”.

“We thought they should consider suspending the deadline - and we thought they agreed. We'll confirm this morning (Tuesday),” said Chabane.

Lonmin on Monday extended its deadline for workers to return to their jobs to Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, Lonmin mine said it would only comment on the call to suspend the deadline once it had determined how many people showed up for work.

The mine said its objective was not just to dismiss people, but to find a reasonable solution to the situation.

“Everybody is worried about the situation,” said Chabane.

He said there was a real fear on the ground that more violence would break out.

“The situation is volatile.

“People are worried that the violence will flare up again and that is the worry which I think should concern everyone.”

Chabane said people needed to remember that the “violence didn't start with the shooting; the violence has been there”.

Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in the protest by mineworkers which started on August 10. The protest action culminated in clashes with the police on Thursday, which saw 34 miners shot dead and more than 70 injured.

“Everybody is worried about the situation, I can tell you,” said Chabane.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Monday evening that the ultimatum issued to striking workers would not be effected this week.

“The President (Jacob Zuma) has declared this week as a mourning week. We want all, including mine bosses, to respect this,” Mthethwa told reporters in Rustenburg.

The protests were believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher pay. - Sapa

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