‘Mine hostage’ drama: Wives’ growing fears for their husbands underground

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Wives of the estimated 543 mineworkers who have been underground since Sunday evening during a labour dispute are growing increasingly anxious about their wellbeing.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is on Tuesday afternoon expected to assist with negotiations to resolve the protest action at Gold One’s Modder East shaft in Springs, east of Johannesburg.

At stake is rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), which wants to be recognised as the majority representative at the mine. The NUM has said its members are being held hostage against their will by the Amcu faction. 

Jane Radebe said her five children are struggling to cope as they do not know when their father will come home.

“We all depend on him. We miss him so much and we’re worried. Since Sunday we’ve been emotional and stressed. We are feeling terrible.

“When I heard what happened, I dropped everything and came here.

“We left at midnight and came back at 6am this morning to see if they come out,” she said.

As the situation unfolds, she and other families are hoping the lives of their loved ones will be spared.

“We left our children and they are asking about their fathers,” MaRadebe said.

“They must consider our loved ones. Their health is in danger. Whatever they are fighting for might end up getting out of control.

It’s stressful because we’re not hearing voices from the people underground. We don’t know how they’re feeling. We don’t know how long they have food for

—  Melissa Cronje, a Springs resident whose late father was an engineer at the mine

“This is so scary. It reminds you of Marikana.”

Amcu led the 2012 wildcat strike at the Rustenburg mine, which became known as the Marikana massacre after police opened fire.

Another woman, who identified herself as Ntombi, shared the anxiety about the men.

“He came to the shift as usual on Sunday. He hasn’t come out.

“I’m so stressed. We don’t know what’s what. We have four children who need him at home.

“They already don’t earn enough to be going through this. My husband is a team leader but he earns R12,000.”

She was concerned about his health, saying he has been taking medication for tuberculosis for six months.

“His health is at risk,” said Ntombi.

Melissa Cronje, a resident of Springs whose late father was an engineer at the mine, said while the families are trying stay calm, it was a volatile situation.

“It’s stressful because we’re not hearing voices from the people underground. We don’t know how they’re feeling. We don’t know how long they have food for.”

Musa Khalipha, an Amcu delegate, said food and other supplies have been delivered underground.

He said they are waiting for a CCMA commissioner, who is expected at 2pm, adding negotiations are under way for a vote on who has a majority at the mine between NUM and Amcu.

Earlier this month, NUM signed a three-year wage agreement with Gold One Modder East Mine with effect from January 2024 applying to underground, gold processing plant and surface employees in categories A and B.

For the first year, all employees will receive wage increase of R1,000. All employees whose basic salary is below R10,000 after the increase will receive a salary adjustment and will earn a basic salary of R10,000 per month.

For the second year, all employees will receive an increase of 6.5% and those whose basic salary is below R11,500 per month will earn a basic salary of R11,500.

For the third year all employees will receive an increase of 5% and those whose basic salary is below R13,000 per month will earn a basic salary of R13,000. Rock drill operators will receive a minimum wage of R13,800.

Living out and medical allowances were also increased.