UPDATE: ZAC mine ‘plagued by criminal element’

THE Zululand Anthracite Colliery mine near Ulundi has been under attack by a small group of ‘criminals’, the incident of arson last Thursday being the latest in an ongoing attempt to disrupt the mine’s production.

This according to ZAC Managing Director, Niels Kristensen, who issued a statement on Tuesday.

‘ZAC has been plagued for a few weeks now by a small criminal element trying to disrupt the mine, demanding employment for themselves,’ he said.

‘The offices at Ngwabe shaft was set alight and destroyed, but the fire was fortunately quickly contained by our people on the ground, preventing it from spreading to other offices.’

The Zululand Observer reported that a source within the mine had said production would halt on Thursday, possibly for the weekend.

Kristensen made it clear that production was only halted for a short safety meeting to ensure the safety of ZAC employees, and to discuss strategy. Production resumed later that day, he said.

Arson attack

‘The SAPS are providing their full support in dealing with this criminal element and are working closely with ZAC employees, the community and other government authorities to bring them to book,’ Kristensen said.

‘Arrests have already been made and we fully expect more arrests in the coming days.

‘Our main focus remains on continuing to run the mine, with the safety and well being of all our 1 350 employees and contractors a priority.’

The economic support structure ZAC creates is essential for about 80 000 people who depend on employment at the mine directly and indirectly.

Kristensen emphasized the incident on Thursday was perpetrated by a small group of people and wholesale blame could not be laid on the community at large.

‘We pride ourselves on the good working relationship we have with our host communities and positive impacts we have on the area through employment and community and local business developments programmes,’ concluded Kristensen.