On Wednesday, 16 May 2018 Political Analysis South Africa’s Thando Maeko spoke to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Highveld Chairperson, Nelson Ratshoshi.
Eight workers, who are members of the NUM at the Optimum Coal Mine, were arrested yesterday, 15 May 2018 during an unsanctioned protest. The workers were demanding the payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses.
Ratshoshi says that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) fired rubber bullets at the protesting workers and allegedly assaulted some of them. He adds that the NUM will be looking into taking action against the police, but in the meantime, the union is currently focused on ensuring that the workers are released from jail.
“I’m waiting for our legal team to be with me. For now our focus is to get those members out, and then from there we have to say what is next. These guys are injured,” he said.
Listen to the audio below for the full interview.
