By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has confirmed that all mineworkers who had staged a sit-in underground on Friday have resurfaced.
Bakubung platinum mine is owned by Wesizwe Platinum, a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Workers’ demands that the employer stop the section 189 process which could see more than 500 employees lose their jobs.
The mine announced the possible retrenchments, citing operational challenges.
The workers also demand salary increases and company benefits.
NUM Rustenburg Regional Secretary Geoffrey Moatshe says the management promised to address their demands.
“All the miners were brought to surface yesterday, some of them are on chronic medication. This is as a result of a meeting that was held between NUM and the Bakubung management where-in there is commitment from Bakubung that issued raised by workers will be raised.”
The contents of the media release put out by Bakubung mine management on December 6 declared the underground sit-in situation as illegal.
Mine management became aware of the underground sit-in at 77 Level Shaft in the morning of Wednesday.
The sit-in led to the failure of the next shift of mineworkers to assume their employment responsibilities.
Management emphasised its intention to correct the situation as soon as possible and promised further updates when they become available.