By BAKANG MOKOTO
8 May 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in North West on Tuesday condemned the alleged naked strip searches of women miners by security guards at Kopanong Gold Mine, near Klerksdorp describing them as abhorrent, dehumanizing and racist. The MRM Provincial Interim Committee Convenor, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said they are concerned that worst atrocities in the workplace that undermine equality, dignity and human rights are still being perpetuated against black women workers who have had to bear the brunt of decades of inequality, unfair discrimination, exploitation and abuse particularly in male dominated industries like mining.
Kgwele said it is worrying that some mining companies are instead improving the safety of women in the workplace subjecting them to slave and apartheid era inspections of their private parts for stolen gold particles instead of employing modern search technologies that respect workers’ rights and human dignity.
“The harsh as well as hostile working conditions that women miners experience underground require a more supportive security environment and employment practices that guarantees their well-being and dignity when they resurface. We call on the Departments of Employment & Labour, as well as Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate the incidents to ensure that such barbaric practices are rooted out and those involved held accountable.
“The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) must in promoting a human rights culture within the security industry also take punitive measures if the allegations are proven to be correct,” he emphasised.
Kgwele further said it is disgraceful that women miners are subjected to searches that wife of mine bosses cannot be comfortable with. He added that, the Charter of Positive Values championed by MRM is committed to the promotion of the spirit of Ubuntu and opposes any form of physical, emotional, and or psychological abuse or ill-treatment of another human being.
“This also includes working for the physical security and protection of all people as well fighting against the physical and emotional harassment of women that result in rape and other forms of abuse.
“MRM will strengthen partnership with trade unions within the sector and undertake Workers Dialogues to entrench workers’ rights to address exploitation and abuses particularly those of women in mining and the private security industry,” said Kgwele.
The Guardian 