POLITICS

Gold One suspends Ezulwini strikers

Company says affected employees invited to make representations against dismissal

Gold One Suspends Striking Workers at Ezulwini

Gold One International advises that on Wednesday 3 October the company issued suspension notices to illegally striking workers at its Ezulwini operation, after repeated requests for workers to return to work were ignored.

The company obtained an interim interdict from the Labour Court of South Africa on 2 October, in terms of which the industrial action that began on 1 October 2012 was declared unprotected and unlawful. The court ruling also interdicted striking workers from participating in further industrial action. Employees on suspension have been invited to make representations on 5 October against dismissal, in accordance with the company's disciplinary code.

The South African Police Service is maintaining a strong presence at the operation to ensure that there are no acts of intimidation or violence. Shareholders will continue to be informed of further developments.

Gold One President and CEO Neal Froneman comments: "I am disappointed that despite numerous requests to return to work, both before and after the award of the interdict, our employees have chosen to be in contempt of court and are acting without any regard for the rule of law. We are therefore without any option but to suspend these striking employees."

On 2 October 2012 the company reported that a large number of Ezuwini 's 1 October night shift employees and 2 October morning and afternoon shift employees failed to report for work, following which the illegal strike was interdicted by the Labour Court. The market is referred to the Gold One media releases published on 2 and 3 October 2012.

Statement issued by Gold One, October 4 2012

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