This as a sit-in underground enters its ninth day today with workers demanding that dismissed workers be reinstated and an official accused of sexual harassment be suspended amongst others. The company is now blaming the union saying it has put the health of workers at risk and says actions by Numsa are irresponsible and has drastically worsened the situation. 

OFM news previously reported that Numsa's national spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, lashed out at the company, alleging that the company refused food meant for workers be sent to them. The mining company, however, says despite its repeated efforts to provide food and medical aid at the surface, the strikers have not left the mine.

At least 12 miners have fainted and have had to be treated either on-site or at a hospital. Hlubi-Majola previously said the boxes of food which were meant for striking Lanxess workers sat in a truck due to security refusing it entry.

"Part of the problem is that the management of Lanxess Mine steadfastly refuses to allow Numsa to bring food to the premises to allow for food to be taken down to our members underground." Hlubi-Majola says the Department of Mineral Resources on Sunday directed the mine to allow food onto the premises. Since Tuesday the management allegedly again denied food meant for the mineworkers to be delivered.

In a statement, the company said as an immediate emergency measure, the mining company would send electrolytes and medical nutrition underground and urged Numsa strike leaders to ensure distribution especially to workers in need. "The company urges NUMSA and the strike leaders to comply with the interdict issued by the Labour Court of Johannesburg on June 22, 2019 and stop the illegal strike immediately" 

"In particular, workers in critical health condition must be allowed to return to surface without further delay," the statement concluded.  Numsa has since raised its concern with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and called for its urgent intervention while at the same time says it is worried about the presence of heavily armed security guards inside the premises of the mine, seen interacting with striking workers in a video.

OFM News