Issued by: North West Communication Service
The North West Provincial Government dispatched a high-powered delegation led by MEC for Public Works Mr Zachariah Tolo, MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs Mr Martin Kuscus, Sherlwood Nale and Squire Mahlangu to assist in brokering a settlement between Rustenburg Platinum Mines authorities and striking employees.
The delegation spent all of Wednesday and Thursday talking to the role players, especially the National Union of Mineworkers. All attempts to restore production failed on account of workers' committee representatives shifting the goal posts to reach an amicable settlement.
The last straw that broke the camel's back was this afternoon occasioned when worker committee members engaged in a scuffle with the NUM leadership in the presence of the North West Government delegation.
Among the negotiators were also members of the Northern Province Legislature. Both provincial governments hereby give notice of their withdrawal from such discussions and have informed all affected parties that the law must take its course.
The provincial government is concerned at the high levels of intimidation allegedly taking place, the potential to induce a proportion of the workforce by violent means to resume employment.
Consequently, measures have been taken by the government to ensure that any attempt to endanger persons of property will not be tolerated.
The North West Government appeals to all parties to respect the right of all affected parties to conduct themselves in the ambit of the laws of the land. 4 JULY 1996