At least six striking mine workers were injured when security guards shot tear-gas grenades at protesters outside the Xstrata chrome mine near Rustenburg.
Security guards took action after about 250 protesters attacked the vehicle of a non-striking employee, said Etienne du Preez, manager of corporate affairs for the company.
About 1 000 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) workers embarked on the strike on Friday following two months of unsuccessful wage negotiations. They issued the employer with the required 48-hour strike notice.
Numsa spokesperson Bernard Mtyotywa said one worker had two ribs broken after being attacked by the security guards, and workers were refused entry to the in-house clinic.
But Du Preez denied this, saying the clinic was open to the employees.
”You have to remember these are still our employees,” he said.
”When the tear gas was fired, some frenzied workers ran into barbed wire and others twisted their ankles. All were given medical treatment.”
On Tuesday, Xstrata withdrew its wage offer of 8,75%, with the union asking a 10% wage increase for the lowest-paid workers.
The union also demanded a one-hour meeting every month, a R500 risk allowance and the upgrading of skills for the lowest-paid workers. — Sapa