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Press Statement, 17 July 2019

ESKOM IN KWAZULU-NATAL PROMOTING VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT AT THE WORKPLACE

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) KwaZulu-Natal Region is highly annoyed by the conducts of Eskom management who are hesitant in taking action against a bully supervisor. The supervisor, who is working for Eskom at Nongoma operation, allegedly assaulted his subordinate while performing duties.

The NUM had since earlier this month reported the matter to the Eskom management and demanded that the supervisor must face disciplinary action.

“We are disappointed by Eskom management’s delays. This to us demonstrate that the Eskom management is out to protect the supervisor because it is refusing to suspend the perpetrator. The management is also refusing to further investigate the incident even though there is enough evidence showing that an employee was assaulted while conducting his duty," said Mcusi Manana, NUM Eskom Full-time shop steward in Kwazulu-Natal.

Eskom management is continuously playing delaying tactics. It is protecting its supervisor at the expense of an ordinary employee.

“We are disappointed and highly annoyed by the nonsense responses we are receiving from Eskom," Manana added.

The Eskom management is arrogant as it is trying all its best to de-recognize the NUM because the union was mostly acting on behalf of vulnerable workers.

We will also take this unfair labour practice and violation of OHS act for private investigations.

We want to remind Eskom management that we still remember how they treated other reported cases of assault before. No urgency of work will or must ever compromise the lives of workers and be allowed to remain unattended.

We demand that Eskom must pay the employee’s medical costs. Failing to do so would result in legal action being taken against Eskom management.

For more information, please contact:
Vusi Manana: NUM Eskom Full-time Shop Steward in KwaZulu-Natal: 084 702 9452

The National Union of Mineworkers

7 Rissik Street.

Cnr Frederick

Johannesburg

Tel: 011 377 2111

Cell: 083 809 3257

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

Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167