Miners hold bosses hostage

2009-07-09 20:54

Brits - About 400 mineworkers at a platinum and chrome mine near Brits have been holding four supervisors hostage underground since 07:30 on Thursday, North West police said.

The contract miners demand to be permanently employed by the Crocodile River mine and are threatening to stay underground until their demands are met, Inspector Brian Dlamini said.

The mine workers initially took five supervisors hostage. Mine management and union leaders then went down and attempted to negotiate with them.

"Two hostages were released, but then the situation became heated and another hostage was grabbed. Members of the mine management and unions had to flee when the mine workers stoned them."

Brits police and hostage negotiators were on the scene.

 

- SAPA