The latest united front against intimidation in the mining sector may be rigorously tested during the upcoming wage talks.
While the who’s who of mining met and engendered considerable confidence with the agreed new draft document, much hinges on behaviour during the upcoming pay negotiations.
Under the leadership of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, government has committed itself to establishing a mine crime-combating forum (MCCF), which will develop protocols for law enforcement in mining areas.
Government has also pledged to protect life and property and to advance the rights of all citizens.
Insiders report that, this time around, government is displaying stronger resolve than ever to engage in corrective action against all those who are violent and who intimidate others.
The contents of the latest draft document are crystal clear on law and order and on peace and stability.
There is commitment to preventing weapons being carried during strike action and are not harboured on company property.
There will be zero tolerance for the actions of the past, which included dragging people out of their beds and parading them partly clad through the streets, not to talk of the murders and the maimings.
Government commits to maintaining peace during labour disputes and participating fully in the new MCCF, as can be read on pages 24, 25 and 26 of this edition of Mining Weekly.
See below video in which Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says that stakeholders in the troubled mining sector have agreed to a new draft accord and that they had until June 26 to tighten its contents ahead of a joint agreement.