The protesting Amcu (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union) miners stationed at the Gold One mine in Springs, Ekurhuleni have vowed that not even hunger will force them to give up their fight.

About 540 miners have carried out a sit-in underground at the mine since Sunday demanding that the mine management address their grievances.

They refused to come to the surface and change shifts during the morning shift changeover.

Those on the surface have since clubbed together to raise R2,000 to buy food for their colleagues underground.

Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, Amcu delegate Musa Khalipha said this was not a hostage situation but a sit-in.

"There are only Amcu members underground, we have even instructed the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) leaders to fetch their members if there are any trapped but they didn't," said Khalipha.

"We want NUM to be removed as a majority representing us while we have 1,700 members and they have 110 members."

He said NUM has been selling them out for so long yet they don't have majority numbers in the mine.

"The closed shop that they have comes from 2012. It is supposed to be renewed after three years but they don't want us to vote because they know they don't have numbers," he said.

He added that the NUM is colluding with the employer and failing to represent their needs.

Employee Edward Makhoba who is also trapped in the mine corridors said not even hunger will deter them.

"The employer has even closed their mageu tabs. We have to depend on those outside for food," he said.

"But this will not deter us. We are going to fight for our rights and better working conditions. We refuse to be led by a minority group. NUM must step down!"