Retrenched mine workers embark on protest action

Mine workers who were laid off at Sefateng Chrome Mine in Sekhukhune District following the closure of the facility in June this year embarked on a protest action outside the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (Leda) offices in Market Street last Thursday where they handed over a memorandum of grievances.
It is alleged that about 40 people who were working underground lost their jobs after the company that was operating at the mine decided to close shop.
According to one of the disgruntled protesters, Ephraim Shai, there is a company that is committed to reopen the mine but a certain official at Leda does not want to sign documents to permit the interested organisation to start with operations.
Shai went on to allege that only two persons responsible for maintenance at the mine were not retrenched. It was further claimed that the responsible official at Leda wants to appoint a Chinese company for his own benefit.
“The sad part about the closure of the mine is that no one got a package because we were all working on contracts. This new company that wants to operate at the mine recently trained all the retrenched workers and another group preparing us for the project but still Leda drags its feet.
Our families are affected badly hence we request an urgent intervention from the agency.
We want the mine to operate for families in Sekhukhune to benefit. Our area is full of minerals but communities don’t benefit because of selfish persons in high positions,” Shai explained.
Fellow protester, Harry Malatji alleged that a resolution was taken during a recent meeting with the affected workers and Leda that documents will be signed to permit the operation of the mine but seemingly the agency was just making empty promises.
He added that all they wanted was for Leda to adhere to the resolution taken and sign the papers for retrenched workers to be appointed by the new company.
After receiving the memorandum, Leda interim Group Chief Operating Officer Mokobane Ntsewa said the agency would study the grievances and respond to them accordingly.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za