Sparks fly at granite mine in Erongo

THE Stone Africa granite mine near Arandis is embroiled in a race debacle after allegations that managers called workers “baboons” and made other derogatory remarks.

Although the allegations were brought to the attention of the Mineworkers’ Union of Namibia (MUN) last week, and the mine management was confronted to resolve the situation, matters only got worse. On Monday, more than half the workforce of Stone Africa downed tools, with demands that the company’s Operating Manager, Willie du Plessis, be removed from his position.Workers also demanded a meeting yesterday between company’s top management from South Africa – Human Resources Manager Emile Bosman and company CEO Jaco Mulder – and representatives of the MUN, the Ministry of Labour, the Police, the Labour Commissioner and the Erongo Regional Council.According to MUN’s Western Regional Organiser, Emmanuel Hangulah, the union’s members on the mine – which are about 40 on the production side – and about 20 sympathisers have “had enough of the inhuman treatment”.He told The Namibian telephonically that the workers had for a long time been the target of verbal abuse, while serious allegations of racism had surfaced only recently.”We are not baboons,” workers said in a statement given to The Namibian.”We are sick and tired of this discrimination.”Hangulah said consultations with Du Plessis and other managers were again sought on the day of the strike, but turned out to be “unfruitful”.He said management had denied the allegations.”Where would such allegations come from then, if they had not said what they did?” Hangulah asked.Reliable sources at the mine told The Namibian that all the workers were back on duty on Tuesday, but the atmosphere was still “very stiff”.”There is no problem with the mine; it is the way our people have to suffer verbal abuse and racial discrimination,” the source said.”We are very unhappy; and this is only aggravated because no one has done anything, or is willing to listen.There are also many broken promises.Management say they’ll come and hear us out, but nothing happens.”Approached for comment, Du Plessis denied the allegations of racism.He said he would be able to provide more information after the meeting with the union.On Monday, more than half the workforce of Stone Africa downed tools, with demands that the company’s Operating Manager, Willie du Plessis, be removed from his position.Workers also demanded a meeting yesterday between company’s top management from South Africa – Human Resources Manager Emile Bosman and company CEO Jaco Mulder – and representatives of the MUN, the Ministry of Labour, the Police, the Labour Commissioner and the Erongo Regional Council.According to MUN’s Western Regional Organiser, Emmanuel Hangulah, the union’s members on the mine – which are about 40 on the production side – and about 20 sympathisers have “had enough of the inhuman treatment”.He told The Namibian telephonically that the workers had for a long time been the target of verbal abuse, while serious allegations of racism had surfaced only recently.”We are not baboons,” workers said in a statement given to The Namibian.”We are sick and tired of this discrimination.”Hangulah said consultations with Du Plessis and other managers were again sought on the day of the strike, but turned out to be “unfruitful”.He said management had denied the allegations.”Where would such allegations come from then, if they had not said what they did?” Hangulah asked.Reliable sources at the mine told The Namibian that all the workers were back on duty on Tuesday, but the atmosphere was still “very stiff”.”There is no problem with the mine; it is the way our people have to suffer verbal abuse and racial discrimination,” the source said.”We are very unhappy; and this is only aggravated because no one has done anything, or is willing to listen.There are also many broken promises.Management say they’ll come and hear us out, but nothing happens.”Approached for comment, Du Plessis denied the allegations of racism.He said he would be able to provide more information after the meeting with the union.