Last week we told you that the National Union of Mineworkers were planning a “massive strike”. Lesiba Seshoka, their spokesperson, has now confirmed that 200 000 mineworkers will down their tools at 6pm this afternoon. He also added that “there is no chance of negotiations to halt the strike.”

Lesiba Seshoka

Mineworkers would take part in the gold sector strikes at companies such as Harmony Gold (HAR), Gold Fields (GFI) and AngloGold Ashanti (ANG). Seshoka explains why they are not planinning on backing out:

The whole world is interested in the gold strike. I have just spoken to the BBC. We’re ready to down tools at the gold mines at 18:00 tonight and there is no chance of negotiations to halt the strike.”

What’s even scarier is the fact that other mining sectors might follow suit soon:

“In the platinum sector, we are also continuing wage negotiations with Anglo American Platinum (AMS). When it comes to the negotiations, we are miles apart. They had offered 4.6% while the we are holding out for an increase of 20%.”

Seshoka also admitted to being “quite busy” over the last couple of days:

“The De Beers strike at the diamond mines is continuing, plus we will be speaking to Implats (IMP) on Monday and then to Northam (NHM) on Wednesday about the platinum sector – and then remember that we are in the fourth day of the coal strike by 150,000 workers too. Representatives of the NUM in the coal mining industry would also hold discussions with the Chamber of Mines before the weekend.”

The good news, if one could call it that, is the fact that they plan to do all this without any violence:

“We have already made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for anyone who intends being violent.”

[Source: IOL]