Mathunjwa must deal with allegations of corruption and lack of accountability at AMCU and stop blaming the NUM

Press Statement, 28 January 2014

Mathunjwa must deal with allegations of corruption and lack of accountability at AMCU and stop blaming the NUM

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is concerned that when AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa engages with the media he always want to draw NUM to his own union internal issues.

As the NUM we have observed and watched a heated interview that he had with eNCA Reporter Xoli Mngambi where he was asked about the issues of corruption and lack of accountability in his union , instead of dealing with the issues that he was being asked about he mentioned NUM's President name when it was not necessary.

It is important for Mr Mathunjwa to deal with allegations of corruption and lack of accountability in his union and refrain from deliberately drawing NUM to his own union's issues.

Mr Mathunjwa must deal with his own union internal issues and stop blaming the NUM. There is no need for Mr Mathunjwa to blame the NUM when his union is facing internal problems.

The NUM is also worried that its members who are trying to go to work at Impala, Lonmin and Anglo American Platinum are intimidated and assaulted.

Since the strike began last week Thursday, intimidation has been high in the platinum belt. We cannot continue insisting that our members should report for duty when their lives are in danger. NUM would not like to have casualties of the strike, lives of the people must be put first.

We call on police and mine security to be always on alert and protect our members who are trying to go to work.

NUM industrial action at Northam Platinum in Limpopo was peaceful, bloodless and effective legal strike. It has demonstrated that workers and their unions can undertake an effective peaceful industrial action unless galvanised otherwise by forces filled with ulterior motives. We call on all stakeholders to respect the freedom of association, and for the right to life to be respected and protected by all workers, unions, the employer, and government.

The NUM believes that workers can lead a peaceful, bloodless and effective legal strike

For more information, please contact

Livhuwani Mammburu: 083 809 3257 (Acting NUM National spokesperson)
Senzeni Zokwana - (NUM President)- 082 804 9170

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

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