Anglo American Platinum spokesperson, Mpumi Sithole has confirmed the miner is working with police to contain an outbreak of intimidation but is unclear how many people are involved.
JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb) – Anglo American Platinum on Thursday said its employees are not on strike but that some were unable to report for night shift last night due to intimidation and threats by ‘unidentified individuals’.
In a move that would suggest an evacuation of sorts, Amplats have decided to ‘re-direct employees to a neutral place’ to ensure their safety and security.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of our people while we find solutions to address the situation. We will provide update information as it becomes available,” said the company in an email to media.
This update comes after the miner announced last night that it was trying to contain an outbreak of intimidation at its Rustenburg mines and had been working 24/7 to try to prevent the unrest.
Anglo American Platinum spokesperson, Mpumi SitholeSithole said that it was unclear how many people were involved at this stage, although it was suspected that these were not mine employees.
“The facts are, our employees are not on strike. The people who are chanting around the mines are from neighbouring communities and we cannot identify who they are,” said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.
A large group of protesters, carrying traditional weapons, gathered at a Thembelani mine shaft on Wednesday morning.
Police kept watch, with five Nyalas and a water cannon at the scene. A police helicopter hovered overhead.
The protesters said they were demanding a monthly wage of R12 500, the same as other protesting miners at the nearby Lonmin-owned mines.
“We have been observing our colleagues strike. We also want that R12 500 and we are going to get it,” said an elderly protester wielding a knobkerrie. He declined to be named for fear of reprisal.
Most of the protesters sat in a field under a scorching sun. Small groups, clutching sticks and clubs, marched, sang and danced.
Some men arrived at the scene wearing African National Congress Youth League regalia. They joined the protesters, but declined to speak to the media about their role in the strike.
Sithole said no memorandum of demands for a wage increase had been given to management by staff members.
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