By TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has discouraged miners from risking their lives in pursuit of production bonuses.
The dissuasion comes in the wake of the death of five workers after they were trapped underground at Kusasalethu outside Carletonville, west of Johannesburg.
“When the workplace becomes unsafe they (miners) should stop working until all necessary and safety measures have been put in place,” NUM’s health and safety secretary, Erick Gcilitshana, said.
He pointed out no amount of money would ever replace the souls of the deceased breadwinners.
“We are looking forward to the investigation, to find out what exactly triggered the seismic event that led to the loss of lives at Kusasalethu mine,” Gcilitshana said.
The workers died after the mine collapsed.
All five bodies have been recovered, a development NUM said would give bereaved families relief.
Gcilitshana thanked those involved in the mission to recover the bodies of the deceased.
“We understand that this was not an easy operation considering the big rocks, that hindered all the efforts,” he said.
– CAJ News