NUM Post-NEC media statement 13 December 2023

NUM Post-NEC media statement 13 December 2023

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) convened its extended National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at Silverstar Hotel in Krugersdorp on the 5th, 6th and 7th of December 2023. The NEC meeting dealt with several issues relating to the four sectors that we are organizing.

The critical issues discussed are as follows.

PWV Region Planned Protest to march next year against Sibanye on Health & Safety and Transformation

The NEC has taken a decisive resolution that NUM PWV Region must embark on a march against Sibanye Stillwater on issues of health and safety and transformation. The date of the protest march would be announced earlier next year.

The lives of mineworkers are equally important and valuable; mining companies continue to kill workers and no one is held accountable. A recent example is the brutal and unfortunate lives lost of 13 workers during the Impala mass accident that cost us the lives of innocent mineworkers; who died while trying to make a living.

NUM would like to send sincere condolences to the family and further call upon authorities to act swiftly and hold the captains accountable. We are waiting for a time when leaders of these companies will be
arrested and prosecuted for irresponsibility and crime committed.

In terms of transformation many of the mining companies are refusing to comply with the policies and laws of this country. We call upon an end to window dressing kind of transformation. The continuous undermining of black excellence must be confronted and rooted out.

We will be starting with Sibanye Stillwater as the leader of this nasty behaviour and tendency at the beginning of the year around February 2024.

Sections 189 served to NUM by different companies

The NEC is on record as having challenged companies, in particular mining companies, to always be prepared to find ways and means to try and avoid retrenchments. Retrenchments must be avoided at all costs. We simply cannot afford to add any more to an unemployment that is roughly sitting at more than 12 million people. Companies must work with the Government to find ways and means to consider retraining affected workers; and create alternative jobs. We continue to be concerned about the growing number of job losses in mining; the metal sector has added to the numbers.

We anticipate that this trend will continue for the better part of the New Year, and that will be a blow to the economy of the country and the broader working class.

What is scandalous is the fact that the government continues to give tax incentives to the mining sector and the entire private sector despite many companies using these incentives to mechanise and automate. Mining companies have made exorbitant profits over the past years, and they are better placed to navigate and deal with the effects of load shedding. We hope that the companies will approach the Section 189-consultation processes in good faith and will work with trade unions to find a solution to avoid job losses.

Gold One Mine hostage situation

NUM condemns the barbaric behaviour witnessed at Gold One, where employees continue to be subjected to a hostage for over 72 hours underground. We call on the SAPS to move swiftly with the investigations and ultimate arrests of these criminals who have been kidnapping and assaulting employees who do not want to form part of their sit-ins. Organizing and joining trade unions should be a choice; workers should never be intimidated and ultimately join a union out of fear. 19 employees were assaulted and hospitalized from the first hostage drama that happened in October and yet no arrest has been made. We now witnessed 13 employees assaulted and were taken to hospital. NUM is concerned that if no action is taken against these criminals Gold One Mine will be ungovernable and holding employees hostage will be an ongoing thing at this mine. The masterminds continue to enjoy their lives with their families while the poor workers are victims of dismissals and even assaulting and injuring each other for the benefit of masterminds.

Management of the mine must take control and find solutions for the problems their facing. Weak systems and even weak management are the main causes of the problems in that mine. Decisive and firm decisions must be taken; leadership must prevail in this situation.

HIV and AIDS CAMPAIGN

The NUM observe with concern the lack of vigorous campaign lately about HIV/AIDS. The country is very much relaxed across all sectors of society. We want to remind everyone that HIV/AIDS is still there workers and the society at large must be encouraged to be aware; continue to engage in protective intercourse; eat healthy and take their treatment; it is not yet over.

The NEC is concerned about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in various sectors especially in the construction sector. The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 13, 7% among the South African population. The total number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is estimated at approximately 8, 2 million in 2021.

Compared with other economic sectors, the construction industry is disproportionately adversely affected by HIV/AIDS. This sector has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country after the mining and transport sectors.

The construction industry is also particularly vulnerable to the pandemic because it employs a constantly changing labour force that works on short-term contracts and permanent employees who move between projects across the country and in other countries. The NUM continues to support programs that are fighting this pandemic and encourage employers to create better working conditions for workers. Companies must ensure that budgets for such programs that will support and prevent workers from being exposed are in place.

16 days of activism campaign to take place at Phakisa Mine in Free State.

The National Women Structure of the NUM will be commemorating 16 Days of Activism Against Abuse of Women & Children under the theme:“ACCELERATING ACTIONS TO EN GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND”

The event will be held on the 14th of December 2023 at Phakisa Mine at Welkom in the Free State Region. The NEC urge our male counterparts to not only be part of events as we commemorate but to be active participants in fighting the scourge of GBVHF in the workplace and at home, as a trade union it is important not to have Women only as Gender Ambassadors but Men as well to face up to these social ills.

The upcoming Provincial and General elections next year.

The NUM as a democratic union continues to support the fundamental right that as Black South Africans we were deprived of by the apartheid system for decades. The country will embark on provincial and general elections next year for South Africans to choose the GOVERNMENT of their choice. NUM calls on all South Africans in particular youths; women and the black majority to come in numbers to defend the democracy our forefathers fought and died for.

Palestinian situation and posture

The NUM strongly condemns deliberate human barbarism and murder that is currently happening in Gaza. Barbarians are indiscriminately bombing to death and destroying to oblivion hospitals and schools, mosques and churches, homes and shops, factories and farms. They are heartlessly killing innocent children, teachers, students, workers, clergymen, worshippers, doctors, nurses and anything that still moves and lives in Palestine. These genocidal acts must stop. These crimes are crimes against humanity. The NUM reaffirms its call that Palestinian people deserve a state of their own. Israel is fighting to wipe neighbouring Palestine off the map. The NUM rally the world to stand up against these barbarians who are murdering innocent people in Palestine.

NUM and COSATU celebrate historic birthdays.

The NEC congratulated both NUM and COSATU celebration of their birthdays. COSATU celebrated its historic 38th birthday on the 1st of December 2023, while the NUM celebrated its 41st birthday on the 4th of December 2023 at Emperors Palace which was attended by the NUM founding President comrade James Motlatsi and other leaders. The Federation continues to improve the lives of workers and fight for workplace issues that affect workers belonging to its affiliates. The NUM played a pivotal role in the formation of COSATU, which led to its founding deputy president the late Elijah Barayi being elected as its first president.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

The NEC wishes NUM members; workers in General; staff members and all our friends happy, peaceful, and safe holidays and a prosperous new year. The NUM implores all to strictly obey road rules and must not drink and drive.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM Deputy General Secretary, 082 882 3452
Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 083 809 3257
Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 083 809 3255

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