Two union officials appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates' Court in March 1988. Their appearance followed the arrest of over 177 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) including 70 members of the NUM Strike Committee, during the August 1987 wage strike. Charles MAPETSHOWANE (39), chair of the NUM branch at the south shaft of Vaal Reefs gold mine, was sentenced on 4 March to five years' imprisonment after being found guilty of sabotage. He had allegedly urged mineworkers to kill strike-breakers and to damage machinery at the mines in the event of miners being forced back to work. His co-incused, Moses GLADILE, was discharged. Three other miners from the Vaal Reefs mine are currently in Pretoria Central Prison awaiting execution for killing team leaders.
Issue 76 · article
Mine Labour Trials
Report on the trial of mineworkers following the 1987 wage strike.
