Tensions rise as mine firm accused of racism

South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers has accused Anglo American Platinum (Amplat) of “racism”, signalling increasing acrimony in the dispute between striking miners and the world’s top platinum producer.

The NUM yesterday alleged that its leader in Rustenburg – the scene of a wildcat strike that brought Amplat’s operations to a halt – was called derogatory names by the company’s security officials at its Swartklip Union mine in Limpopo province.

The union said the official was racially abused yesterday, together with a journalist from the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The union’s attempts to intercede on behalf of 12,000 miners fired last week by Amplat had been thwarted, said NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka.

He said: “It has become very clear that the company promotes racism through procuring security and other services from racists and their companies and that it has no intention to empower African people.

“The company has a week ago embarked on mass dismissals and was in the process of doing the same at Swartklip when the NUM leaders sought to intervene and speak to members, only to be met with imported racism of a special type.”

A spokeswoman for Amplat declined to comment.

Amplat, a subsidiary of ­London-listed firm Anglo Platinum, last week dismissed 12,000 miners for staging a wildcat strike and failing to attend ­disciplinary hearings. The workers have since threatened to make the mines ungovernable, saying it will be impossible for the company to hire new staff.

The miners are determined to fight for their jobs, strike leader Evans Ramokga said yesterday.

South Africa produces 75 per cent of the world’s platinum.