A senior NUM leader intimidated at the koppie in Marikana today

NUM Press Statement, 07 September 2014

A senior NUM leader intimidated at the koppie in Marikana today

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is extremely disappointed and saddened that its National Education Chairperson Helen Diatile was hurled with insults and nearly assaulted at the koppie in Marikana today for wearing an NUM t-shirt.

Diatile was attending an inspection in loco by the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.

The problem started when our Education Chairperson arrived wearing an NUM t-shirt and she was confronted and instructed by Amcu members who were also wearing their union t-shirts that she must undress the NUM t-shirt. The incident happened in front of Judge Ian Farlam and the police. Judge Ian Farlam tried to intervene, but he was not successful.

Diatile who was accompanied by the NUM Media Officer Luphert Chilwane had to be escorted out of Marikana under tight security by the NUM security team and the police.

They both opened a case of intimidation at the Marikana Police Station.

The NUM would like to put it clear that the commission is opened to all interested parties and involved stakeholders. NUM also lost members on the 16th of August 2012. We hope that the commission took notice of this appalling behaviour that happened at the koppie today. NUM is here to stay and no amount of threats and intimidation will scare us on exercising our organisational rights.

For more information, please contact:

Livhuwani Mammburu: 083 809 3257 Acting NUM National Spokesperson
Mike Fafuli: 0828036419: NUM Presidential Advisor

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