The drama is far from over after 562 people, including a security guard and paramedics, made it back above ground at Gold One’s Modder East mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni.

Police are investigating a case of kidnapping and assault after 15 mine workers were arrested yesterday for allegedly holding several miners against their will.

Springs Advertiser reports that Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said mineworkers interviewed by detectives said they were held against their will by the group.

Muridili says four injured men, including a security officer, were taken to hospital.

“Police seized sticks and screwdrivers found in the lift by Gold One Mine’s security,” adds Muridili.

Mine responds

In a statement released last night, Gold One said they are relieved their employees are ‘now out of harm’s way’ after a ‘traumatic experience’ since Sunday.

“We will be working closely with the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the events leading up to this incident. We are committed to addressing any underlying issues to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and to doing everything possible to secure labour peace at the mine.

“Our focus over the past few days has been solely on securing the safe release of all our employees. We will now turn our attention to taking necessary action against those involved in the conduct of any unlawful and illegal activity,” its statement reads.

Union drama

While the Springs Advertiser reported that the miners carried out a sit-in underground, demanding that the mine recognise the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) as the main union representing them, Gold One insisted that the vast majority were being held against their will.

The publication stated in an article yesterday that Amcu represents 1 700 of the mine’s workers, while the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) – which is the union recognised by Gold One – has only 110.

“We have tried negotiating since 2016 to have votes to elect a new union representing the employees, with no success. This is the only language that the employer understands; maybe now we will be allowed to bring change that will fight for the miner’s rights,” he added.

The Springs Advertiser stated that on Tuesday night negotiations between the mine, Amcu, NUM and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration had collapsed, with the two unions refusing to compromise their demands.