No mine sackings as S. Africa mourns dead

Platinum giant Lonmin said yesterday it will not penalise miners who fail to report for work this week, as families prepared to bury the victims of a wildcat strike that left 44 dead.

The government of S. Africa, Lonmin and the unions are in agreement that the best way to start to rebuild trust is to return to something closer to normality, albeit gently and carefully

“In consultations with ministers and unions, Lonmin agrees that no disciplinary action be taken against those unlawfully away from work who do not return this week,” the company said.

“However, all parties are also agreed that the interests of employees, the wider economy and the company are best served by a return to work and they call on those striking to do that.”

The company had threatened to fire the 3,000 rock drill operators who launched an illegal stay-away on August 10 if they failed to report for work yesterday.

The world’s third-largest platinum miner has also tried to lure its other 25,000 employees back to the job with assurances of their safety.

But shortly after yesterday’s deadline passed, the company dropped the dismissals threat amid pressure from the government and unions to allow families more time to grieve the dead.

Ten people were killed in inter-union clashes in the first days of the strike, prompting a police intervention that resulted in officers gunning down 34 miners last Thursday.

“The government of South Africa, Lonmin and the unions are in agreement that the best way to start to rebuild trust is to return to something closer to normality, albeit gently and carefully,” the company said.

“Given the traumatic events of the last 10 days, this is a delicate process and it will take time for people to come to terms with what has happened. Nothing is being done to risk the continued calm on the ground. Safety and public order are the priorities of everyone involved in this process.”