National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) refutes Sunday world article

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) today released a statement to categorically distance itself from a recent article published by the Sunday World newspaper, titled “NUM dumps ANC ahead of next year's crucial municipal elections.”

The NUM wishes to state unequivocally that the content of this article is misleading and does not represent the official position of the union. The NUM has never decided on any of its congresses to "dump" the African National Congress (ANC).

A resolution adopted by the NUM affirms the union's commitment to the tripartite alliance. The NUM believes it cannot divide the alliance and its members and, by extension, its own membership, many of whom are loyal and dual members of the ANC and South African Communist Party (SACP). Our members continue to support the tripartite alliance as a united front and are not prepared to choose between the ANC and the SACP.

The union's official position, as per its resolution, is to reaffirm its support for the tripartite alliance. At the same time, the resolution empowers NUM members to exercise their democratic right to vote for the party of their choice in the upcoming municipal elections next year. The NUM acknowledges and respect that some of its members belongs to other political formations. This principle of individual choice is a fundamental tenet of our democracy and is respected within the union.

The NUM calls on all media outlets to report accurately on the union’s official resolutions and to verify information before publication.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Phillip Vilakazi, NUM President, 076 981 1751
Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 083 809 3257

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/10086002340216