NUM is shattered by the brutal killing of its Sibanye-Stillwater mining coordinator Siphosoxolo Sotshangane

Media Statement, 23 August 2024

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is mourning the untimely death of its Sibanye-Stillwater mining coordinator comrade Siphosoxolo Sotshangane. Comrade Sotshangane was brutally shot and killed by unknown assailants in the evening of Monday 19 August 2024 at the door of his house while he was parking his car.

Various attempts were deployed to try and save the life of comrade Sotshangane but he unfortunately succumbed due to injuries sustained.

As the NUM we are heavily shattered by this act of barbarism. We strongly condemn such heartless killing of a young and upcoming leader of the trade union movement. It is hard to deal with the loose of such a wonderful soul and the leader of a society at large through the barrel of a gun, and worse in the hands of some lunatics who have no standing in the society.

We are calling upon the law enforcement agencies to proactively do almost everything in their power to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book, including the arrest of the plotters.

Comrade Sotshangane was an activist in his own right, a member and a leader of the Africa National Congress at Glenhavie in Great Westonaria.

He was a long serving NUM member and steward, growing within the union’ structures and ranks. He started as a mine shaft leader, went to become education structure secretary and branch secretary, by that virtue he became the PWV regional committee member. 

He was shot and killed in midst of Sibanye-Stillwater wage negotiations as a mining house coordinator, he is central to coordination and facilitation of the whole negotiations process.

 The NUM will host a memorial service on the 27th August 2024 at Kloof Mine to remember and celebrate the life of our dear comrade. Comrade Sotshangane’s funeral shall be held at Ntabankulu, in the province of Eastern Cape on the 31st August 2024.

We would like to take this opportunity to send our deepest and sincere condolences to comrade Sotshangane’s wife, kids, the entire family including his colleagues.  

For more detailed information, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM Acting General Secretary, 082 882 3452

Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 083 809 3257

Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 083 809 3255 or 073 354 6569

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