Security alert after miners' murders

2012-11-23 10:00

(File) (Shutterstock)

Johannesburg - Police and mine security are on alert on Friday morning following the killing of two miners at Harmony's Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville.

Operations at the mine had not been affected, the company said in a statement.

Two employees were killed and a third person injured in a shooting on Thursday afternoon. It was believed to be the result of inter-union rivalry between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

“Harmony deplores the tragic and senseless loss of life in what appears to be inter-union rivalry, not associated with the operations of the mine," Harmony CEO Graham Briggs said in the statement.

Management, the recognised unions, and Amcu, had been in talks about ending conflict at the mine since workers ended an unprotected strike on October 25.

Briggs said Amcu had applied for recognition as a union at the company and a membership verification process was underway.

"We urge all employees and the unions to refrain from violence and follow the proper engagement processes that are in place."

Gauteng police were still looking for the killers of the two miners.

"No arrest has been made [and] the situation is calm," spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale said.

- SAPA