Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramathlodi has condemned the rape of an Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) female employee. The dreadful incident happened yesterday, 10 March 2015 in Rustenburg at the mine’s female changing room.
Preliminary investigations indicate that one female employee was allegedly sexually assaulted by an outsider who gained access to the mine site illegally, while the same intruder also attempted to harm a second female employee. “This incident comes after the world’s commemoration of the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2015. As a department and government, we strongly condemn such violent criminal act against all human kinds.”
The Department of Mineral Resources has at heart the safety and promotion of female participation within the department and the mining industry. We continuously encourage the industry to implement legislation that will protect women against any form of violence. While most mining companies have done a lot to attract women to the industry through tertiary education bursaries and training programmes, there is a constant need for mines to protect their employees in particular women from sexual assaults.
The minister urges all affected parties to work jointly with the South African Police Service as it investigates this case. The department also welcomes an internal investigation process launched by the mine.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ms Phuthi Mabelebele
Cell: 076 402 7521
E-mail: Phuti.Mabelebele@dmr.gov.za
