Miners trapped underground at a South African mine for three days are starting to emerge following what authorities are labeling a hostage situation.
The police have reported that individuals wielding weapons such as clubs and mining tools were responsible for holding over 500 miners captive at the Gold One mine.
As employees started emerging on Wednesday, one of them informed media that he had to force his way to freedom.
The miners became trapped on Sunday during a conflict between two labor unions.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) stated that their members had been forcibly detained by “hooligans.”
However, the competing Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) refuted allegations of trapping workers at the mine, situated near Johannesburg. Amcu maintained that the miners were there voluntarily and were conducting a “sit-in” demonstration.
Over 100 workers resurfaced from the mine on Wednesday morning. An anonymous worker, expressing concern for their well-being, revealed to media, “I forced my way out because I was worried for my health.”
“Lwazi” expressed a degree of sympathy for Amcu, as the union had been striving for official recognition at the mine for approximately five months. Currently, NUM has a “closed shop” arrangement with the Gold One mine, granting exclusive representation rights to this union.
“Although I agree with the fight for another union to be allowed to organise at the mine… I can’t say I support the method they have taken,” Lwazi said.
Police spokesperson Brenda Mudiri stated that law enforcement officials were conducting interviews with miners as they exited the mine.
“Those we interviewed have told us they were held against their will. They told us about 15 hostage-takers. We are unable to say which union these hostage-takers belong to,” she said.
The mine’s management reiterated the assessments of both the police and NUM, affirming that the miners had indeed been held as hostages.
Amcu has alleged that Gold One’s management conspired with the NUM, an accusation the mine has refuted.
