Lonmin pressured to heed mourning period

Johannesburg - Pressure is mounting on Lonmin not to rush its striking workers to return to work, and allow them to mourn the deaths of their colleagues and loved ones.

The interministerial committee led by minister in the presidency Collins Chabane reiterated a call on Tuesday by traditional leaders and unions, and expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, that Lonmin be compassionate with its workers.

Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa leader Phathekile Holomisa said that in “accordance with the tradition”, it was demanding that a moment of mourning be observed before and after the burial.

“We hope Lonmin will understand the cultural aspect of mourning. Lonmin must understand it is not going to be easy for workers to go back to work when in mourning,” Holomisa said.

Chabane supported this, saying this week was very important for those who lost their loved ones and colleagues, emphasising the importance of mourning.

Malema said Lonmin should “let workers bury their loved ones, then go back to negotiations in free spirit”. He said that in honour of those who lost their lives, Lonmin must appease workers and give in to their demands.

“Lonmin must say in honour of those who died we give you R12 500 [monthly wage]. Anything less would mean that those who lost their lives would have died for nothing,” he said.

According to the Lonmin management, 33 percent of the company’s 28 000-strong workforce reported for work yesterday, including about one in five of the rock drill operators, the main striking group.

“We are working alongside the unions as they also want their members to report for work. 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,” the company said.

Striking workers vowed to remain on strike until their colleagues were buried and their demands addressed.

Lonmin said no disciplinary action would be taken against those unlawfully away from work this week, but said it would be in the interests of employees, the wider economy and the company if they return to work.

Meanwhile, National Faith Intervention leader Pastor Ray McCauley called on “political parties not to use the [Marikana] tragedy to score points but to unite with those who have been affected and lessen their pain”.

McCauley, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the Methodist Church’s Reverend Paul Verryn and the SA Council of Churches were among faith leaders who visited the scene yesterday. They offered counselling to workers and their families and tried to mediate between workers and the Lonmin management. - The Star