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PRESS RELEASE: Date: 2 April 2014

NUM is extremely perturbed about the prevailing state of affairs at ESKOM. Most worrisome 

is a prospective drift to anarchy at this important state entity which poses grave threat to the 

natural and corporate citizenry of South Africa .Our concern is guided by the following elements 

which are a recipe for corporate disaster:

Moribund model of leadership a disaster

 We have noted the overwhelming decision making guided by a moribund model of leadership 

that has been dejected by a number of successful state and corporate business entities in the 

world.

This entity has been subjected to an archaic trait of dictatorship where the only stakeholder that 

matters is the employer .The culture of consultation and cooperation that had been built over 

the years has effectively been eroded. Essentially the entity has assumed a moribund dictatorship style of leadership which marginalizes everybody .Thus no consultation on primary matters that affect the livelihood of workers future and how this relates to business.

In this way Eskom is drifting away from the developmental model the ruling party had 

embraced where labour, business, and the state are key partners for the success of a 

developmental state .But the current leadership clearly treats workers as a disposable non-

entity in the workplace an approach which is consistent with the old white minority racist 

regime and therefore deplorable.

Appointment of executives

Furthermore , part of the scourge is a manifestation of surprises wherein labour is not 

consulted on strategic appointments characteristic of the marginalisation of workers .For 

example there have been strategic appointments without labour as a key partner being 

consulted . 

Thus individuals with questionable and dubious credentials are quietly drawn into the 

executive layer of Eskom which can only accelerate the disastrous degeneration the entity has 

defined itself such as failing to provide unhindered service to our society.

Vacancies

We are extremely worried that there are numerous vacancies which have not been filled and 

which would hamper the ability of the entity to discharge its duties as expected. This may 

ultimately justify controversial appointments and an environment of corrupt activities. As NUM we shall keep an eye on this in the interest of our country and transparency.We call on the Minister of Public enterprises to make timeous intervention to redeem the situation before things gets worse and to note that workers are an important stakeholder to this effect.

Wages

The current wage ratio continues to generate disharmony pertaining to labour relations and 

collective bargaining at ESKOM. We call on the entity to improvise innovatively to remedy the 

negative atmosphere and create an inclusive environment to promote good service to the South 

African people .The belligerent posture by the current executives does not assist in this regard 

and it would affect proper service in the long run. 

Labour brokers

Worldwide labour brokers effectively trigger the deterioration of working conditions and 

compromise safety standards. We are not surprised that Eskom has experienced fatalities in 

recent times .These are the aftermaths of working through this contracted butcher system. It 

is ESKOM responsibility as a primary employer to ensure the safety of workers is promoted at 

all times without exception failing which it remains an accomplice in the occupational killings of 

our members. 

Minimum service Agreement

In order to create a hospitable working environment, we call on the minister of public 

enterprises to respect the rights of workers to strike. The determination of the minimum service 

agreement has been unilateral and favours the employer and marginalises the workers. 

In this regard it is an imposition consistent with the moribund dictatorship style we have 

alluded to. These developments guarantee the brutal exploitation of workers unseen before 

at Eskom. All the above elements present a hopeless scenario for a very strategic entity in our 

society.

For this reason we call on the Minister of Public to make necessary intervention to remedy 

the adverse situation and prevent prospect of corruption or collapse of service which would 

intensify black-outs. 

Contact the following for details:

Frans Baleni: General Secretary 082 375 6443

Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting National Spokesperson 083 809 3257 

National Union of Mineworkers

7 Rissik Street

Cnr Frederick

Johannesburg 

Tel: 011 377 2111

Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>

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