Two workers at Matla colliery in the Eastern Transvaal were killed this week in clashes between union and non-union members as thousands of black mineworkers staged demonstrations in protest against changes to the country's labour laws.
The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) reports that its members lave been demonstrating against the about Relations Amendment Bill on gold mines and collieries in the Free State and eastern Transvaal. At Anglo American's huge Vaal Reefs gold mine near Klerksdorp, which employs some 40 000 workers, the union reports that miners staged underground demonstrations and distributed pamphlets opposing the Bill.
Num general secretary Cyril Ramaphosa told the Weekly Mail that up to 8 000 workers were involved in the demonstrations on mines owned by Anglo American, Gencor, Goldfields, JCI, Rand Mines and Eskom. But an Anglo representative said he had not received any reports of worker demonstrations on the group's mines including Vaal Reefs.
Gencor spokesman Harry Hill said last night that he had also not received reports of protests on Gencor-owned mines, other than Matla. Goldfields representative Attie Roets said he had not been informed of any demonstrations. "This is a spontaneous worker reaction against the Bill," said Ramaphosa. "It is quite clear that workers are lot prepared to accept this draconian piece of legislation. These demonstrations are a sign that workers are determined to ensure this Bill is not put into effect."
A representative for the Malta colliery said two workers were killed in sporadic fighting between union and non-union members at the mine hostel near Kriel. Another 22 workers were injured and the violence has halted production at the mine. The protests, which erupted days before a special congress called by the 750-000-strong Congress of South African Trade Unions to protest against the Bill and the banning of 17 anti-apartheid, organisations, appear to have hit all the major mining houses in the country.
At Matla mine, security has brought the fighting under control and management and worker representatives were yesterday locked in talks to try and resolve the conflict. A Num shop steward at Mafia claimed the dead workers were members of Inkatha who had opposed the "a peaceful demonstration" on Tuesday and attacked union members in their hostel on Wednesday night.
A management memorandum said the clashes occurred after Num members had prevented non-union members from using company transport in order to return to their hostels from the number 2 and 3 mines after the day shift on Tuesday. The miners then marched back to the hostel, displaying Cosatu banners and protesting against the Bill. On Wednesday night "two non-union members were attacked and murdered". Police are investigating the killings and the names of the dead men have not yet been released…
This article originally apeared in the Weekly Mail.
