NUM distances itself from the killings in the Rustenburg area

NUM Press Statement, 02 November 2017

NUM distances itself from the killings in the Rustenburg area

It is quite mischievous for the Association of Mineworkers and the Construction Union to start associating the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) with the current killings taking place in the platinum belt. The NUM views the recent Amcu’s public statement on the killings, mentioning NUM as a direct provocation.

The reality is that some of Amcu members who are reported to be in hiding have come out in public, allegedly accusing their own President Joseph Mathunjwa of being behind the killings. They have even challenged him to a public debate.

As the NUM we have been asking the following four questions:

1. How long is blood going to have to flow in the mines?

2. What do you gain when you start killing and shedding blood?

3. Can you drink it? Can you make bricks out of it?

4. Who has ever benefited from blood running in the streets?

The NUM had consistently condemned the killings of mine workers in the Rustenburg area. It does not matter to what union or association they belong too. The killing of mineworkers is deplorable and unacceptable.

The NUM calls for law enforcement agencies to deploy their best resources in Rustenburg to arrest and prosecute the killers. The law enforcement agencies must not only arrest the killers, they must also arrest the masterminds who are sponsoring the killings. The NUM will never kill any mineworker to regain ground in the platinum belt. These killings must stop now.

The NUM has nothing to gain by killing and shedding blood of mine workers. Workers cannot be enemies.

When the NUM was formed thirty-five years ago, the NUM fought strongly against tribal conflicts and bloodshed. The union fought tribalism and managed to unite workers from across tribal lines. So it is indeed mischievous for anyone now to start associating this mighty union with any sort of killings or violent acts.

For more detailed information, please contact:

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/100860023402167