NUM Easter Holidays Message
NUM Press Statement, 18 April 2014
NUM Easter Holidays Message
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) wishes its members in Mining, Energy and Construction a fantastic, enjoyable and peaceful Easter Weekend, starting today and ending on Monday 21 April 2014.
The 2014 Easter Weekend comes at a very challenging and difficult time for our members in the platinum belt which are intimidated, attacked, severely assaulted and their cars and houses petrol bombed for belonging to the NUM. We request our members to pray for these barbarians masquerading as unionists to understand that fellow workers are not their enemy, their enemy is the employer.
The NUM condemns the despicable, sustained and systematic attacks on its members by barbarians or hooligans masquerading as unionists while carrying pangas and machetes to slaughter the weak and poor workers in the Rustenburg and the platinum belt.
We expect other unions in the platinum belt to embark on peaceful industrial action. There is no need for other unions to harass and intimidate our members when they are not part of their strikes. The NUM is not going to allow other unions to harass and intimidate its members when they go on strike.
As a way forward the NUM appeals to the law enforcement agencies, to arrest the culprits of the violence and murders in the platinum belt. The union further appeals to the authorities to ensure successful prosecution of those arrested.
The NUM will continue to fight for our members because we believe that they are among the most exploited proletarians in the world, recruited from all corners of Southern Africa both inside and outside of South Africa.
Lastly all our members must travel safely on the roads, avoid drinking and driving at all costs. Be safe.
