Some Lonmin miners return to work

Protesters from Lonmin's Marikana Mine carry traditional weapons as they protest for better salaries. Picture: Taurai Maduna/EWN.
| 21 August 2012

MARIKANA - Lonmin Management is still trying to calculate how many Marikana miners have reported for work on Tuesday morning.

The platinum mining company extended its ultimatum calling on all striking workers to report for duty at 7am.

If they fail to do so, mining bosses will take action, but not necessarily fire them.

Security chased media away from some of the mining shafts where workers were reporting for duty.

There is a mixture of striking and non-striking employees, but it still remains unknown exactly how many mineworkers have returned to work.

The company's Mark Munroe said they want their workers back on the job.

“People are encouraged to come to work today and we are working together with other stakeholders to stabilise the situation.”

However, many protesters are adamant they will not come back until their salary demands have been met.

Traditional leader, Churchill Madumo, who visited the area on Monday said he supports the miners.

“It’s unfair to earn R4,000 for 10 years. I’m praying with them.”

At the same time, former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and religious leaders Ray McCauly and chief rabbi Warren Goldstein are expected to visit the area later.

POLITICIANS

Political, religious, and traditional leaders on Monday addressed hundreds of community members.

Opposition leaders led by Congress of the People (Cope) President Mosioua Lekota visited the area.

They joined in the prayer by local religious leaders. The group prayed for peace to return in the area.

Meanwhile, some of the injured miners are still recovering in a nearby hospital.

A miner, who was shot four times by police, said he wished he could join his fellow striking miners.

BRAND SA

Brand South Africa said it was encouraged by government's swift response to the Marikana tragedy.

At least 34 miners were killed when police started shooting at them on Thursday.

In total 44 people lost their lives since protests began.

There are fears that international perceptions of stability in the local mining sector may hamper foreign investment.

But, Brand SA's Chichi Maponya said the fact that President Jacob Zuma cut short his Sadc trip to Mozambique, is evidence of the government's decisive action in the aftermath.

However, she said South Africa's reputation is at risk.

“This can impact Brand South Africa’s reputation and competitiveness on a global scale because investors look at the stability of a country when they want to invest.”

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)