Skorpion's management enforced the lockout on Friday afternoon in an attempt to resolve a long-standing wage dispute and to implore the union to continue negotiations.

The lockout followed shortly after workers suspended negotiations and a weeklong strike on Tuesday last week.

Workers called the strike on May 12 after the union and management had failed to break a deadlock in wage negotiations.

The Rosh Pinah Police Station Commander, Inspector Chrispin Mubebo, yesterday confirmed the clash.

He said two of the demonstrators that took to the streets at Rosh Pinah on Saturday in protest against the lockout were slightly injured.

"The workers that were struck by the rubber bullets only sustained bruises," he said.

He added that G4 Security Company manager, Andrew Mostert, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Mostert was freed on bail of N$2 000 and is set to appear in court today.

A tussle broke out between a worker and Mostert, who claimed the workers' march was illegal and tried to disperse the protesters, said Mubebo.

According to Mubebo, Mostert was injured in this altercation and drove home to collect a firearm.

He then fired rubber bullets at the protesters.

Mubebo said the Police had been aware of the planned protest march.

"Because of a court order preventing workers from picketing on or outside the mine premises, the workers requested permission from the local Police to stage a peaceful march at the village," Mubebo said.

Skorpion's General Manager, Gerald Boting, allegedly instructed Mostert to disperse the protesting workers.

The Namibian has been informed that the company had persuaded some workers to sign a declaration that they support the company's application for continuous operations status.

Those who signed the agreement were apparently offered a salary increase of 12 per cent backdated to May 12, a monthly housing allowance of N$1 780 and the extension of their current transport arrangement from Keetmanshoop to Windhoek.

The Rosh Pinah branch chairman of the Mineworkers' Union of Namibia, Michaeleno Kadhikwa, yesterday reiterated that the union could not accept wage increases linked to endorsing the mine's application for continuous operations status.

Other than that, the union was happy with the management's latest offer of a 12 per cent increase and a monthly housing allowance of N$1 780.

The union is set to meet the Labour Minister today, The Namibian was informed.

Attempts to get comment from the company management were unsuccessful.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•   Secret memo targets NBC board chief
•   Former elections chief quits Swapo
•   Fuel prices to drop again
•  Swakop shooting: husband dies, wife stable
•   Newspaper recalled over Mudge blunder
•   Policewoman fights for her life after domestic shooting
•   20-year jail terms for cash robbers
•   Swapo leaders 'outdated': Moongo
•   Stealing uranium is 'pointless': Rossing
•   Armed robbery rocks Kalkrand community
•   Veld fire devastates wildlife in maize triangle
•   Air Namibia launch Walvis international route
•   Keetmans shop owner faces assault charge
•  Southern schools temporarily merged
•   Swakop's feral cats get website
•  Big Brother Africa 3: Quirky SMSes
•  Big Brother Africa 3: You can say 'I do' in the house!