BDLive reports that power utility Eskom said on Thursday that it had begun meeting with three unions in mediation efforts over a wage dispute, with an unprotected stoppage by some employees yet to affect operations.  

A meeting under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) began on Thursday with the company still optimistic that an agreement would be reached.  Eskom’s largest union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), embarked on strike action on Wednesday despite the utility’s status as an essential service and Eskom having obtained a court order prohibiting unions from striking.  The NUM alleged on Thursday that police had "randomly fired rubber bullets and assaulted" members peacefully protesting outside Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga on Wednesday.  The NUM has opened a case of assault.

• Read this report by Karl Gernetzky in full at BDLive

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