The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has slammed Ekapa Mine
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo / DFA
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has slammed Ekapa Mine for pursuing liquidation while five of its workers remain trapped underground.
The workers were trapped underground after a mudslide hit the mine last week. The union said the company’s move to seek liquidation before recovering the miners was “inhumane and reckless.”
"This decision comes before the retrieval of the bodies of the five workers who remain trapped underground. Such an action is profoundly insensitive to the grieving families of the deceased and demonstrates a callous disregard for the broader workforce of approximately 1,200 employees whose livelihoods now hang in the balance," NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim said.
Jim said the decision was taken without any consultation with the union or government.
"This is particularly disturbing given the existing hardships faced by workers at Ekapa Mining. Over 300 workers have already been subjected to layoffs, and for the past five months, workers of Ekapa Mining have not received their salaries. Furthermore, workers did not receive their February 2026 salaries, which were due on 25 February 2026".
Jim also called for Business Rescue proceedings instead of liquidation, saying this would be a more responsible way to protect jobs and ensure the company’s survival.
"Despite this rejection, NUMSA is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders and is exploring all legal avenues available to protect its members at Ekapa, inclusive of the families of the five workers who are now presumed deceased, to ensure that fairness prevails and that workers are not left destitute .
"The union reserves its rights and the rights of our members in terms of the law and we may have no option but to initiate Business Rescue proceedings itself in the best interests of job security of all workers at Ekapa".
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