Cosatu slates Malema's call to make mines ungovernable

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Trade union federation Cosatu has hit out at Julius Malema for his call to make the country's mines ungovernable.

The expelled ANC Youth League leader made the controversial statements during a visit to Marikana in the North West after last month's deadly shooting which left 34-people dead.

Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini said such statements are irresponsible adding that Cosatu unions would never back such a call.

Early attendance figures at Lonmin's shafts crept up to 6.34% on Monday, while police reported that all was quiet around the Marikana mine ahead of a fresh round of pay talks.

Mine spokesperson, Sue Vey, says one shift was running across the 11 shafts of the Marikana complex, which includes Eastern Platinum Ltd and Western Platinum Ltd.

In terms of a peace accord signed last week, employees were expected to return to work on Monday and talks between the company and unions were to resume at noon.

Work stopped at the mine on August 10th.

Meanwhile, about 15,000 workers at Goldfields' KDC mine on the West Rand are on strike on Monday.

The company said that senior leadership of Gold Fields' South Africa Region and KDC are on the mine engaging with the striking employees and the various unions.

Workers downed tools unexpectedly on Sunday night for the second wildcat strike at the mine in two weeks.

Gold Fields says it will apply for an urgent interdict to end the unlawful strike.