A surprise sit-in protest at the beginning of a shift, a back and forth of updates by union leaders, singing and chanting while others took long naps, avoiding the politics, characterised the impasse at Gold One mine in Springs, Gauteng.
A woman who was on shift when more than 500 miners remained underground in a bid to force management to acknowledge the union Amcu says the situation became desperate for them.
A compromise to end the sit-in was reached after women in the group started to complain about itching from not bathing for three days, a lack of medication, menstrual discomfort and fatigue.
Bongiwe Bambeni said though she was not fearful or complaining, she was uncomfortable.
“I’m used to the life down there so I didn’t really worry, most of us were OK. But at some point on day 2, we became impatient and worried as management was not addressing us. We sang for hours and slept but no one came.
“We mostly had water and the lunchboxes we took on Sunday. On Monday we got bread and juice donated by our colleagues, but management didn’t give us anything.
“We only got [sanitary] pads [on Tuesday] and those on their periods would get one and they would need to come back and ask for another pad because they were not enough.
“We used pine gel from underground and cloths from there to wipe ourselves and wiped our teeth with cloths,” said Bambeni.
We don’t know if we still have jobs. We will see, but the point is we want Amcu to lead us
— Bongiwe Bambeni
She said some women with periods had to use cloths as pads.
On Wednesday the miners ended the sit-in. Those held against their will also resurfaced from underground. The first group resurfaced at about 7am and the rest came out at about 2pm.
“When we came out we found management seated and we passed and they escorted us to get food. It was one piece of KFC, chips and a burger. They didn’t say anything to us, we had to walk and come to our colleagues.”
Gold One spokesperson Jon Hericourt said though he could not give specifics, “there will have to be repercussions” for the action.
“We don’t know if we still have jobs. We will see, but the point is we want Amcu to lead us,” said Bambeni.
“The people who were caught off-guard had no choice. You can’t start disagreeing down there — you might be in danger.
“The black workers who were not protesting didn’t complain much because they understand our struggle, but the white miners were really unhappy and didn’t want to be there at all. They would ask for updates often,” said Bambeni.
On Thursday the miners and Amcu are expected to meet at the Modder shaft to discuss further plans.
Musa Khalipha, an Amcu delegate at the mine, said they will continue to protest and do not expect to be back at work any time soon.
Amcu is drafting a new petition that will be handed over to management asking for them to have organisational rights and be a union of choice at Gold One.
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