Kumba miners face dismissal and charges

16 Oct 2012

Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) said on Monday, 15 October 2012, it had obtained a Labour Court order‚ forcing striking workers at its Sishen mine to leave the premises immediately‚ following their failure to appear before the disciplinary hearing. Striking employees have been ordered not to go within 500m of the property.

"Should they not leave the mine immediately‚ the South African Police Service has been ordered by the court to remove them‚" Kumba spokesperson Gert Schoeman said.

He said the miners - estimated to be fewer than 120 - would mostly likely be dismissed and criminal charges formulated against them.

"They had until 11am this morning to report for a disciplinary hearing for embarking on an illegal strike. The criminal charges include extortion‚ intimidation‚ theft‚ trespassing and malicious damage to property‚" Schoeman said.

The strike‚ which began on October 3‚ has cost South Africa's largest iron ore producer more than R1.2bn in lost revenue.

The strikers are demanding a monthly salary increase of R15‚000 for all Kumba employees. Their current salaries range from R12‚000 to R31‚000 a month‚ excluding housing allowances‚ bonuses and other benefits‚ according to the company.

Last week‚ the miners made off with equipment worth R3.3bn‚ threatening to destroy it if their demands were not met.