Police have are gearing support as outraged mine workers are coming in large numbers at Aquarius Mine in Rustenburg. The mine workers are angry after of three of their fellow employees were shot dead and others were injured yesterday.
About 250 miners who had been striking illegally for the past two weeks gathered outside the K5 Khwezi mine on Wednesday afternoon, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“There was a confrontation between members of the security and the unruly employees. Security guards fired shots at the mineworkers, killing three, while 15 others were injured.”

Ngubane said petrol bombs were confiscated from mine workers.

“Ballistic testing will be done on the security guards’ [guns] and post mortems will be conducted.”

No arrests had been made yet.

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PHOKENG: One member of the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) was shot in the head this morning at Impala No. 8 hostels.

Phokeng SAPS members together with the Bafokeng Public Order Police were called to attend the scene of crime where members of NUM were allegedly kidnapped.

It is alleged that Impala mine employees, who were against being represented by the NUM shop stewards since their last wage strike and allegedly joined the AMCU, attacked the NUM representatives as they were starting to work in their offices situated inside Impala No. 8 hostel.

Two of the NUM representative managed to escape and run for their lives.  They allegedly managed to hide in some of the hostel rooms and the Police rescued them.

” One of the victims who was shot in the head and ran towards the road trying to get out of the hostel, was also rescued by the Police.  There was a group of +- 800 mineworkers who were surrounding him upon arrival of the Police” North West Spokesperson, Thulani Ngubane said.

It is alleged that the dispute between the two labour unions’ members, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is being influenced by the fact that AMCU has now recruited more members since after the Implats strike. 

The AMCU members are allegedly out numbering those of NUM and they forcefully want NUMmembers to vacate the shaft as well as offices at No. 14 shaft.  

They also want their own office bearers to occupy the offices.   

The victim of the incident that happened at No. 8 hostel, sustained a bullet wound to the right side of his head and he is in a  critical condition. 

He was transported to Impala Mine Hospital by an ambulance where he received medical attention at the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, other two members were rescued by the Police from where they were hiding inside the Hostel.

A case docket of attempted murder was opened and no arrest is yet been made. Police are currently on high alert and closely monitoring the situation.  Investigation is continuing.

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