'Madibeng, are you a unionist?'

An edited copy of my article, “Our companies are laws unto themselves,” (Pro-Africa Analysis, 05 October 2007), was published on the letters’ section of the News24 website under the headline, “Deaths go unnoticed” (MyNews24, 09 October 2007). The following are readers’ reactions to the article as published by News24:

1. Those who agree that big companies are laws unto themselves say:

1.1. Companies are only concerned about the bottom line. The executives get fat bonuses and little thought is given to the miners who risk their lives on a daily basis. - Jennifer

1.2. You make a very good point, but the fact is that our justice system has effectively totally collapsed. Even if a trial (either crime OR workplace-issue) makes it to court, it'll drag on forever, costing law-abiding citizens tax money.. and in the end the sentence imposed on the purpetrator will be waay lenient. – Juan

2. Those who disagree say:

2.1. Excuse me, 300 people die a YEAR in work related accidents in SA and this is very upsetting,but nobody forces these people to work down the mines,its a dangerous job and they do get paid more money for the danger.How could you possibly relate this to 500 violent deaths or 1200 reported rapes a WEEK,of people who have no choice and just happen to be in the wrong place or sometimes just hanging around their own home?The GOLD mining industry is one of South Africa's few forex earners leave it alone. - me

2.2. Not the only deaths in SA that go unnoticed, so do a lot of deaths in suburbs and on farms. Unfortunately if you can't stop the thug on the street with your police force, you won't be able to stop big companies from doing the same. Start small, be effective and you will reach the high level offenders. – Sun

2.3. Madibeng, is jy so effe 'gebriek'? It is a mine. How safe can you be when you are hundreds of metres beneath the surface. Some jobs are inherently dangerous. My father spent time in mining, as have some of my friends. There are horror stories, but it comes with the job. You fail to appreciate that ALL the workers came up safely thanks to the efforts of the rescue workers. Where there are geniune working environment abuses the state should definitely step in but don't whinge about nonsense. - European-African

2.4. You sound like a unionist - you want jobs and growth but you also want strict safety standards. The fact is big companies employ people who would otherwise be "poor individual criminals or small township gangs". as long as there is minning and major infrastructure development - there will be casualties. At the moment we are chock full of both. You comparing our reasonable rate of mining or constructions incidents to the ridiculous crime rate is so COSATU like... - Fern

2.5. It's terrible that deaths happen at work sites. We're all pleased that these 3000 workers had fresh air and survived their time under. Yet I'm surprised that you feel this is of the same importance than crime? These workers know the risks everyday they go down the shafts. Crime is about people coming into your house and killing you, countrywide. How can you possibly relate the two? Government by companies - you sure? Who are the 'people' holding EVERYONE to ransom with violent strikes. – MJ

2.6. Good article but I was under the impression that miners belong to unions to which they pay a fee...and what do the union's do about the safety issue of workers or are they also to busy enjoying the benefits rolling in to their coffers... - SB

2.7. That some die while @ work, but like others have said, how safe can it be working in a mine underground, Yes maybe there must be better settlements in the event of a death/injury, but thats unfair for me to say cuz i don't know the amount offered.What i do know,is that mining is a very hazardous occupation & i would assume that u get paid extra for the danger involed.. but heh what do i know... - skarr..