Numsa spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says they are dismayed by what she calls a cruel stance adopted by the company’s bosses.

This as about 280 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members started an underground sit-in on June 19, demanding recognition of their union, the reinstatement of dismissed workers and the suspension of an official accused of sexual harassment. She says since May 2018, Numsa members have been subjected to all sorts of attacks and harassment and in the main, the nature of the mine’s onslaught against them took various forms. Hlubi-Majola says action must be taken against the mine.

“Since last week our members were provoked by management’s failure to decisively deal with a sexual harassment case. This is something which angered our members to the point that they were willing to risk their lives and stage a sit-in underground on the mine premises. They had clear demands, which they were adamant about,” she says.

Hlubi Majola says the demands are as follows: The necessary measures must be taken to get to the bottom of the allegations of the sexual harassment case. Secondly, they demand that all fellow employees that have been dismissed on a continuous basis through the trumped-up charges and the abuse of power by management should be reinstated with immediate effect.

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