Open letter to three Ministers from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President), regarding: in loco inspection of appalling conditions where workers of Anglo Gold Mine at Vaal Reefs are kept (14 June 2013)
To: Minister of Energy and Minerals
Ms Elizabeth Dipuo Peters
Private Bag X96, Pretoria, 0001
To: Minister of Mineral Resources
Ms Susan Shabangu
Private Bag X59, Arcadia, 0007
To: Minister of Labour
Ms Mildred Nelisiwe Oliphant
Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001
Dear Honourable Ministers
CALLING THE MINISTER OF MINERALS, MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY AND OF LABOUR TO CONDUCT AN INSPECTION IN LOCO AS A RESULT OF THE APPALLING CONDITIONS WHERE WORKERS OF ANGLO GOLD MINE AT VAAL REEFS ARE KEPT
The leadership of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) visited the compounds of Anglo-Gold Mines at Vaal Reef where the allegedly dismissed workers are kept until the matter is decided upon by the Labour Court.
The conditions under which these workers are accommodated is inhuman as their compound is barricaded as a danger zone by barbed wire and all the kitchen material such as stoves have been taken away by the company.
These workers are not being paid nor being given food rations. They are placed there to starve to death. This fuels a variety of concerns which need to be addressed. These are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
The UDM is making a call to the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Elizabeth Peters, Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu and of Labour Ms Mildred Oliphant to do an inspection in loco of the compound.
The UDM finds it disturbing that at this day and age, there is an existence of companies which treat their workers as animals. This is not acceptable. The relevant ministry should take a bold step against the company.
Yours sincerely
Bantu Holomisa, MP
UDM President
Copied to: Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission
Advocate Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana
