Celani Sikhakhane
Striking miners at the Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) resorted to damaging mine properties and burning a company vehicle on Wednesday.
One of the workers told Scrolla.Africa that they were angered by management, who told them that they needed to sign the apology letters that have been lodged with their local traditional leaders.
Parts of the letters are said to demand that workers apologise and admit to being liable for damage to mine property since the illegal strike began in April.
Workers are also angry at Minister of Minerals and Energy Resources Gwede Mantashe, believing that he sold them out after his Saturday meeting with ZAC management.
“He came here as if he is visiting to be sympathetic with us but look at what is happening. Police are all over fighting us and our demands have not been met,” one worker said. “We are angry and it is clear that we will die here since the employer is not willing to back down.”
During the visit Mantashe didn’t talk to the workers. Instead he sent Zululand Mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi to address them.
“Now we are told by the management that we need to sign those letters, whereas Mantashe through Buthelezi said that no traditional leader should be involved in our working matters. But the management said we must go back to our traditional leaders to sign letters,” said another worker.
None of the workers Scrolla.Africa spoke to want to be named by the media as they are scared of being victimised.
So far only five workers have signed the letters at their local traditional leader Induna Ntshebe Shezi of OKhukho.
Siphiwe Tema of the ZAC communication unit could not be reached for comment.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiwe Ngcobo said a case of malicious damage to property is being investigated by Mahlabathini SAPS.
“It is alleged that yesterday morning and today OKhukho community members embarked on a protest action. They were burning tyres and damaging a company vehicle. Police are monitoring the situation,” said Ngcobo.
