Netwerk24 reports that on Wednesday safety officers took 14 zama zamas (illegal miners) into custody at the same mine outside Welkom where on Tuesday night a mini-war took place.
About R250,000 and a large quantity of gold-bearing ore were seized. The 14 men, who were apprehended on Wednesday night at the St. Helena 3-shaft ventilation shaft, were apparently trying to take advantage of the drama on Tuesday to go underground. Meantime, police were not able to disclose the identity of the guard who died on Tuesday. The man’s body was completely incinerated. On Tuesday, security guards of Bidvest Protea were completely overwhelmed by some 60 to 80 men who attacked them. One guard was killed and another wounded. Assault weapons and petrol bombs were used by the attackers. At least four of the attackers were wounded. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)
- Read this report by Alet van der Walt in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page