Wildcat Strikes

The platinum belt is roiling with tension once more after the assassination of Numsa organiser Malibongwe Mdazo.

Sibanye Gold says it will refuse to raise wages above the rate of inflation as gold producers and unions remain locked in talks over pay.

Anglo American Platinum says 11% of its workers have gone on strike.

An alleged assault on an AMCU member has sparked unrest and led to the dismissal of 200 workers.

President Jacob Zuma has warned that that wildcat strikes have the potential to wreck the South African economy and impoverish the country.

An unplanned strike at the Lonmin mine in Marikana has left everyone unsettled as reasons for the protest remain unclear.

The past financial year has caused Sasria to experience a loss ratio worse than that experienced in the most turbulent days of apartheid.

Employees of Anglo American Platinum in Rustenburg and Pilanesberg north have returned to work.

The body of a Mozambican miner was found in a veld at Amplats’ Amandelbult mine after a number of other miners were assaulted.

Thousands of workers gathered at a rally in Rustenburg have vowed to continue striking after a once-off payment of R4 500 by Amplats was rejected.

A workers’ representative has confirmed that workers from several mining companies in the North West will unify in a mass strike in the new year.

Hundreds of striking Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) workers have gathered at a mass rally at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg.

The battles for higher wages by angry striking miners must be chosen carefully to avoid setbacks for the workers, writes Ebrahim Harvey.