Accounts of Escaping the 'Hostage Situation' at Gold One Mine Shared by South African Miners

Workers at a Gold One mine in South Africa have been freed after being held underground for three days in what police are describing as a hostage situation. The miners were held captive by armed individuals wielding weapons like clubs and mining tools. Over 500 miners were trapped due to a dispute between two trade unions. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) claimed that its members were forcibly held against their will by "hooligans." However, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) denied these allegations, asserting that the workers chose to stage a sit-in protest. On Wednesday morning, more than 100 employees emerged from the mine, with one worker expressing concerns about his health and the need to force his way out. The situation has caused distress for the workers' families, who have been waiting anxiously for their loved ones to be released. Police are currently interviewing the miners as they exit the mine, and investigations are underway to identify the hostage-takers and their affiliation with any union. Management at the mine has concurred with the accounts provided by the police and NUM, denying any collusion with the NUM as alleged by Amcu.