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Mathunjwa - Amcu going to court

Marikana - The president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, Joseph Mathunjwa, has told striking miners in the platinum belt that Amcu was going to the labour court next week to prevent the mining companies from by-passing the union.

He was referring to the decision by the mining companies - Lonmin[JSE:LON], Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP], Anglo American Platinum[JSE:AMS]to contact striking miners directly to inform them of their latest offer.

Amcu members downed tools on 23 January, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.

They have rejected the offer of 10% that will see them earning a minimum of R12 500 by 2017.

Arrogance

The companies said they could go no higher given rising costs and depressed prices.

Mathunjwa said the union had moved from an initial demand of R12 500 immediately and suggested the increase be spread over four years.

"If it was not for the arrogance of the chief executives, an agreement could have been reached," he said.

Lonmin's chief executive Ben Magara said on Monday that restructuring and job cuts were inevitable as it posted a steep fall in six-month earnings.

Community

Meanwhile residents of Mmaditlokwe near Marikana burnt tyres and blockaded roads on Wednesday, demanding the release of 16 people arrested for public violence.

Community leader Msokoli George said residents took to the streets on Tuesday after a massive blast at Tharisa chrome mine on Monday.

He said 14 women and two men were arrested on Tuesday night for public violence after they embarked on a protest.

Residents have vowed not to sleep until the 16 have been released.

Anarchy

They told Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa that they would only be satisfied if the 16 were released and their concerns pertaining to water, electricity and roads were attended to.

Mthethwa, who was on his way from Marikana police station, told residents that he would be back on Thursday, together with mine management and Rustenburg municipal officials, to resolve issues of concern to the community.

He told them those who were arrested were no longer in the hands of the police but were the responsibility of the courts.

Residents heckled Mthethwa as he tried to calm them down and explain the processes that led to the arrests.

Mthethwa said at a news conference later: "The rule of law reigns in South Africa ... Anarchy is not what is going to be accepted."

Intimidation

He vowed to crack down on violence against platinum miners who were trying to return to work and arrest "within hours" strikers he said were behind a campaign of intimidation.

Amcu's arch-rival the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said its members were unable to return to work because of Amcu intimidation.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions in the North West called for tolerance and an end to intimidation in the area.

"We do not want see the other Marikana tragedy," provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said in a statement.

Robust

Trade union Solidarity asked for miners to be protected from intimidation, particularly as workers were "extremely vulnerable" once they returned home after shifts.

Platinum's price, despite Wednesday's moves, had largely taken a muted response to the stoppage as traders said there were sufficient above-ground stocks to meet demand, which remained far from robust.

The strike has also hurt already sluggish growth in South Africa and rating agency Moody's said on Wednesday the country's credit rating remained under pressure.



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