After a peaceful march monitored by the Springs SAPS and the EMPD, former Gold One mine workers handed a memorandum of grievances to management at the Modder East operation on October 23.

In the memorandum, the ex-miners demand payment of their provident funds and the release of documents needed to claim UIF benefits.

Former employee Elsie Mkhatywa, who worked at the mine from 2009 until her dismissal in 2012, said the issue had persisted for years.

“It has been a long struggle with the mine. We are old and sick now. We just want the money we are owed before we die. Some former workers who have already died were still waiting for payment,” said Mkhatywa.

She added that the dispute dates back to 2012, when miners went on strike demanding salary increases.

“After that protest, the mine closed the gates and never let us back in. After losing my job, I got terribly sick for three years, which resulted in an amputation of my toe. I have children who depend on me,” said the ex-worker.

Another ex-worker, Hoffmeyer Matshaka, called on Gold One to rehire those still able to work and compensate the families of deceased employees.

Matshaka, a father of seven, said his family had been taken from him and his home in the Eastern Cape had been destroyed because he had no money to fix it. He said he left the mine in 2023 but had not received his provident funds.

“After I was dismissed in 2023, I was blacklisted and couldn’t find another job. I’m just here in Gauteng, waiting for the mine to pay us so I can go home,” he explains.

He said the group had approached Momentum, which confirmed that their funds existed, but court cases and unhelpful lawyers have delayed resolution.

“We still have hope.

“The law must protect workers’ rights because there are laws in this country which must be followed. As workers, we have rights, too,” Matshaka added.

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Gold One’s head of legal and spokesperson, Ziyaad Hassam, said the grievances raised by the Professional Allied & Transport Union had already been heard by the CCMA and the Labour Court, both of which ruled in favour of the company.

“We have been in discussions with the union and legal representatives to resolve any outstanding issues. These can only be finalised once all dismissed employees complete their exit medicals.

“Our attempts to schedule these exit medicals have thus far proved unsuccessful, as the dismissed employees failed to turn up.

“We must also make it clear that there will be no re-employment offered to any employee dismissed for participation in an unlawful strike. We will formally respond to the memorandum in due course,” said Hassam.