Bloemfontein - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it is shocked by another attack on one of its members at Union Mine in Limpopo.
“Another member of the NUM... was attacked and severely assaulted while going to work this morning (Monday),” Union Mine NUM chairman Steve Modikwane said in a statement.
Winch operator William Nkoebele suffered head injuries, and had ribs and both arms broken during the attack.
“These guys are killing us,” Modikwane said.
He said mine management was forcing workers to get to work as early as 5am, and when they did they were attacked.
“Our workers want to go to work, but they are not safe.”
Most workers at the mine are members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), and are on strike.
Amcu members at Anglo American Platinum, Lonmin Platinum, and Impala Platinum are demanding a basic wage of R12 500.
Modikwane said the Union Mine workers who were attacked lived mostly in squatter camps next to the mine, where there was no visible mine security or police.
Modikwane urged police and mine security to be on high alert and to protect workers who reported for work.
“We expect all mining companies affected by the strike to take serious action to protect workers and to discipline the culprits,” he said.
Sapa