NUM NEC reaffirms unity, defends the integrity of the organization and intensifies the struggle for workers' rights

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), following its National Executive Committee (NEC) deliberations on the 5th November 2026, wishes to communicate its position on a range of pressing organizational, industrial, economic, political and international developments affecting workers and the broader working class.

The NEC remains united and resolute under the leadership of President Manzaba Philip Vilakazi. We reaffirm our collective commitment to building a strong, disciplined and militant organization that remains true to its founding principles and the interests of its membership. Attempts to create perceptions of divisions within the NUM will not distract us from our mandate.

1. ATTACKS ON THE NUM AND THE MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The NUM has observed with serious concern the growing tendency by certain individuals to use social media platforms to launch defamatory, slanderous and malicious attacks against the organization and its elected leaders.

We condemn character assassination, misinformation and the deliberate attempts to bring the name and reputation of the NUM into disrepute. Internal organizational matters must be addressed through established constitutional structures and appropriate organizational processes, rather than through social media platforms.

The NUM is a democratic organization governed by its Constitution and established disciplinary procedures. Where leaders have transgressed organizational rules, the organization has demonstrated its willingness to take appropriate disciplinary action, irrespective of an individual's position or standing.

We therefore call upon all members, former members and leaders to exercise discipline and refrain from conduct that undermines the organization. The NUM will not hesitate to pursue appropriate legal remedies against individuals who engage in defamatory conduct and seek to damage its reputation.

As a legal person, the NUM can sue and can be sued. We will defend the integrity of our organization through all legitimate means available to us.

2. ORGANISATIONAL DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT FOR THE NUM

The NEC reiterates that indiscipline will not be tolerated at any level of the organization. We are particularly concerned about individuals, including former leaders and former members, who continue to attack and undermine the organization while claiming to act in its interests.

The NUM respects and acknowledges the contributions made by former members and leaders throughout the history of the organization. However, such recognition cannot be used as justification for insults, organizational sabotage or conduct intended to destabilize the union. Love for the NUM must be demonstrated through responsible conduct and respect for its democratic structures. The organization will defend itself against all attempts to weaken its unity and organizational standing

3. THE NUM WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY ATTACKS FROM IMPALA PLATINUM

The NEC has noted with concern the attacks and confrontational posture directed towards the NUM by Impala Platinum. The NUM will not sit back while its integrity, leadership and organizational independence are undermined. We will defend our
organization, its membership and its democratic mandate through all legitimate organizational, legal and collective means.

Our commitment to defending the NUM is unwavering. No individual or group will be allowed to intimidate the organization or dictate its direction.

We remain committed to the principle that the interests of mineworkers and the working class must always come first.

4. RETRENCHMENTS, JOB LOSSES AND THE DECLINING ECONOMY

The NEC expresses deep concern about the growing wave of retrenchments across the mining and energy sectors, particularly at a time when the economy continues to experience sluggish growth, unemployment and increasing economic hardship. Workers continue to bear the consequences of economic decisions over which they
have little control. Retrenchments at companies such as Seriti and other industry players are a serious threat to the livelihoods of workers, their families and mining communities.

The NUM rejects the normalization of retrenchments as the first option for dealing with economic difficulties. Companies must explore alternatives, including operational efficiencies, restructuring through meaningful consultation and other measures that protect employment.

We call upon government to urgently intervene through coherent industrial and economic policies that protect existing jobs, stimulate economic growth and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Workers cannot continue to pay the price for economic mismanagement and corporate decisions.

5. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

The NUM acknowledges the successful conclusion of collective bargaining negotiations at Rotek, achieved under challenging economic and industrial circumstances. We commend our negotiating teams and members for their resilience and determination in securing improved conditions for workers.

We further welcome the conclusion of the negotiations in Northem Platinum mine; we also commend the negotiating team for achieving a well-balanced agreement. However, we remain concerned about the approach adopted by Kumba Iron Ore regarding the proposal to have workers surrender their public holidays. Public holidays represent more than ordinary days away from work. They are part of the hard-won labor rights and historical gains secured through the sacrifices and struggles of generations of workers and liberation fighters.

The NUM calls upon Kumba to negotiate in good faith and respect the rights, dignity and social interests of its employees. Workers must not be expected to surrender their hard-earned rights for the convenience of employers.

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY: AN URGENT PRIORITY

The NEC reiterates that health and safety remain among the highest priorities of the NUM. We are deeply concerned about the escalating fatalities and serious accidents in the mining industry, particularly in Gold and Platinum sector. Every mining fatality represents a family devastated, a community robbed of a breadwinner and a worker
whose constitutional right to life and dignity has been compromised.

The NUM will intensify its mobilization and campaigns to demand safer working conditions and accountability from mining companies. We further call upon the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement responsibilities, particularly against companies that fail to implement effective health and safety campaigns.

The provisions of Sections 12 and 13 of the Mine Health and Safety Act must be respected and implemented, including workers' rights relating to health and safety, risk assessment and hazardous working conditions.

We call for:
-Stronger enforcement of mine health and safety legislation.
-Accountability of mining companies and license holders responsible for unsafe working conditions.
-Effective prosecution of those responsible for mining fatalities, with the National
Prosecuting Authority playing its necessary role.
-Regular medical examinations and monitoring of workers.
-Greater attention to occupational diseases, particularly tuberculosis (TB).
-The revival and strengthening of HIV and AIDS awareness and treatment campaigns in partnership with trade unions.

The NUM will also explore extending its health and safety mobilization beyond South Africa, working with comrades in Zimbabwe and other countries where mining companies operate in particular Impala, that appears to be intentional in undermining trade union rights. We will work with our international federation; IndustriALL to fight this tendency by Impala. We will further join forces with our sister union in Zimbabwe to defend workers' rights and in particular the right to join union of your choice. No worker should have to sacrifice their life to earn a living.

7. TRANSFORMATION AND EDUCATION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

The NEC emphasizes the importance of advancing meaningful transformation in the mining industry. We remain concerned about the slow pace of transformation, particularly the inadequate representation of black professionals and workers in senior technical, financial, management and decision-making positions.

Transformation must go beyond ownership statistics and superficial compliance. It must translate into meaningful opportunities, skills development, career advancement and representation at all levels of the mining industry.

We call upon mining companies to invest in education, training and the development of black professionals, technicians and artisans.

The NUM further emphasizes that education and transformation must work closely with health and safety initiatives to ensure that workers are empowered and equipped to participate meaningfully in the industry.

8. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN

The NUM remains deeply concerned about the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.

We condemn all forms of violence against women and children and call for stronger interventions to protect victims, improve access to justice and address the social conditions that perpetuate violence.

The union will continue working through its women's structures to advance campaigns for gender equality, dignity, safety and the protection of women in workplaces, mining communities and society.

9. ECONOMIC POLICY AND THE AGOA DEVELOPMENTS

The NEC is concerned about the implications of the United States' decision to remove South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) framework, reportedly effective from 1 January 2027.

We believe that trade relations must be based on mutual respect, fairness, and the sovereignty of nations. Economic partnerships must never become instruments for compelling countries to abandon independent foreign policies or surrender their national interests.

South Africa must continue to diversify its trading partnerships, strengthen regional economic integration and pursue an industrialization programme that protects domestic employment.

We further call upon government to ensure that the consequences of international trade disputes are not transferred onto workers through job losses, reduced investment and economic instability.

10. INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

The NUM reiterates its unwavering solidarity with workers and oppressed people across the world. We reaffirm our support for the people of Palestine in their struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination. We also reiterate our solidarity with the people of Cuba and Venezuela.

The NUM believes that international solidarity remains an essential principle of the working-class movement. Workers across the world face common challenges of exploitation, inequality, imperialism and economic injustice.

We will continue to stand with progressive movements and working-class formations fighting for peace, justice and social emancipation.
The NUM recognizes the importance of strengthening international working-class solidarity and commemorating workers whose labor sustains economies and communities. The NUM support the declaration of 30rd of October as the day of action in support of Dockworkers by WFTU. All our Coastal regions will work with our sister union SATAWU to honor these workers under the theme “Dockworkers do not work for economic war led by imperialist war mongers”.

We will continue developing programmes across our regions to strengthen worker participation, mobilization and awareness of the struggles facing workers in different sectors.

The recent loses by Benjamin Nentayahu in Israel and Trump’s republican it’s a clear indication of ordinary people distancing themselves from economic wars and bullying by these imperialist groups. We don’t expect any change in terms of foreign relations but a clear message has been communicated.

11. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS AND THE WORKING-CLASS AGENDA

The NUM acknowledges the successful and peaceful conduct of the local government elections.
We congratulate all political parties that participated and secured representation, and call upon elected representatives to place service delivery, accountability, job creation and the improvement of living conditions at the centre of their responsibilities. The working class expects local government to deliver decent housing, water, electricity,
sanitation, reliable infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities.

We also congratulate COSATU and its affiliates on their successful congress processes and wish the newly elected leadership strength in advancing the interests of workers.

CONCLUSION

The NEC wishes to reiterate that the NUM remains united, disciplined and resolute under the leadership of President Philip Vilakazi. Our organization has a proud history of struggle, sacrifice and defending the interests of mineworkers. We will not allow internal indiscipline, social media attacks, external intimidation or attempts at organizational destabilization to divert us from our historic mission.

We remain committed to defending jobs, improving working conditions, advancing transformation, promoting health and safety, strengthening collective bargaining and building a better future for mineworkers and the working class.

An injury to one is an injury to all!

Continua!

Issued by the Office of the General Secretary

Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 082 882 3452

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/10086002340