By Doreen Mokgolo
All the miners involved in an underground protest at the Gold One mine in Springs have now resurfaced.
Several of the miners have since told police that they were being held against their will by a group of 15 miners. A case of kidnapping and assault has been opened with SAPS.
GroupOne CEO John Hericourt said the workers who were held underground since Sunday started reappearing on Wednesday morning.
Four of the miners who resurfaced, as well as a security guard, were treated for injuries by medical personnel and taken to hospital.
“At around 6am this morning we received communication from an underground station that there are people who want to come up,” said Hericourt.
And in the afternoon, the remainder of the miners emerged. Police put the number of those underground at 562, including paramedics who had gone down to treat the injured and the security guard who had accompanied them.
Police seized sticks and screwdrivers which were found in the lift by mine security, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.
“The mine rescue team has confirmed that they have cleared the underground area,” she said.
“The SAPS has dissolved the Joint Operational Centre. However police deployment will remain in the vicinity”.
The miners, who went underground on Sunday, were the cannon fodder in a standoff between Amcu (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union) and the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers). NUM claimed the miners were being held against their will, a charge Amcu denied.
Amcu is demanding recognition as an official union at the mine while management has recognised only NUM.
Pictured above: Protesting Amcu mineworkers.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
