NUM POST-NEC media statement (2)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) convened its Ordinary National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on the 30th and 31st of October 2025 at Emperors Palace. The NEC thoroughly assessed the struggles facing mineworkers, energy workers, construction workers, and metalworkers, resolving to intensify the fight against job losses, exploitation, and the destruction of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

1. Crisis of Job Losses and Industry Shrinkage

The NEC expressed grave concern over the escalating crisis of retrenchments and the shrinkage of key industrial sectors, which directly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of working-class families.

• Beeshoek Mine Closure Threat: The NEC is deeply disturbed by the potential closure of the Beeshoek iron ore mine, which puts the jobs of up to 688 workers at immediate risk. This is a direct result of ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA)'s refusal to renew a supply contract. This crisis is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of corporate decisions on workers and communities. The NUM demands
urgent government intervention to save these jobs and prevent a socio-economic disaster in the region. The NEC wishes to address the recent developments at Beeshoek Mine, which will be placed on care and maintenance following the lapse of a supply contract with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA).

The formal consultation process initiated by the mine via a Section 189 notice earlier this year concluded on 27 October 2025. This painful process has confirmed that 622 employees will be retrenched, effective 30 November 2025.

As the NEC, we are deeply concerned about Assmang’s approach throughout this process. We note their insistence on applying a uniform retrenchment model across different operations without recognising the unique socio economic and operational circumstances of each site. We are further alarmed at the speed with which Assmang Beeshoek advanced this, running the Section 189 of the LRA process parallel to the mine closure application under Section 52 of the MPRDA.

We also note with sadness that mine closure protocols, which fall squarely under Section 52 requirements, did not appear to have been followed to the letter of the law. As workers now face going home, the status of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) processes remains alarmingly unclear.

This retrenchment will have a devastating impact on our members, their families, and the greater Postmansburg community. Retrenchments are always painful and deeply concerning for unions, as they strike at the heart of workers’ dignity, livelihoods, and the economic lifeblood of communities built around mining operations.

NUM will continue to stand with the affected workers and hold Assmang and relevant regulatory authorities accountable to ensure all legal, ethical, and social obligations are met. We call on the government, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), and all social partners to urgently intervene and protect the community from the socio-economic collapse that may follow this seizure of operations.

• Metal Sector Bloodbath: The NEC noted with alarm the challenges in the Metal Sector, where numerous companies face Section 189 notices due to intense competition, particularly from China. We condemn the practice of Chinese companies prioritizing sales shops over local manufacturing, which is detrimental to job creation. The NEC calls for an immediate and urgent joint session with the relevant government departments and industry stakeholders to develop a plan to protect and grow domestic manufacturing jobs.

2. Collective Bargaining: Fighting for a Living Wage

The NEC affirmed its uncompromising commitment to securing substantial and justifiable wage increases for all members in the face of the crippling high cost of living (food, petrol, and electricity).

• Sibanye-Stillwater Gold Negotiations: The NEC is monitoring the deadlock in wage negotiations at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Gold Sector, now referred to the CCMA. We reject the company's continuous plea of poverty when the gold price has more than doubled, recently scaling new record peaks above $4,300 an ounce. Our revised demand of a 6.5% increase for artisans, miners, and officials, and R1,300 for the lowest category, for three years, is justifiable. The NEC also insists on six months of fully paid maternity leave, not the four months currently offered. Sibanye must put profits second and employees first.

• Eskom Wage Talks: The NEC is firm on its demand for a 15% wage increase for Eskom employees, a figure justified by the soaring cost of living. We stand in solidarity with NUMSA and Solidarity in demanding that negotiations remain within the Central Bargaining Forum. Eskom and the government must understand that the unbundling of the entity must not be used to unbundle workers’ unity and collective bargaining rights. The unions are saying that while Eskom is currently unbundling itself, it must not unbundle their members, as the members prefer to negotiate in the Central Bargaining Forum. Wage talks could stall early over Eskom’s proposal to let unbundled and legally separated entities establish their own union recognition agreements. The NUM is demanding 15%. This increase is justifiable given the high cost of living. The price of food, petrol, and electricity has increased exponentially. This 15% will assist workers to compensate for these increases. Eskom and it's trade unions will meet again on the 11th to the 14 of November 2025.

• Modikwa Platinum Mine: The NEC fully backs the demand for R1,300 for A-Band to B7 and 6% for C-Band. Members have correctly rejected the meagre R1,100 offer.

• South African Diamond and Precious Metal Regulator (SADPMR): While acknowledging global market challenges, the NEC condemns SADPMR's continuous plea of poverty. We demand that Treasury fully fund this PFMA Schedule 3A public entity to enable a justifiable 10% Cost of Living Adjustment for all employees.

3. Health and Safety: Zero Harm is Non-Negotiable

The NEC expresses its deepest concern and anger over the increase in mining fatalities, with the total reaching 38 for the year to date—a tragic increase from 32 in the previous year.Key health and safety challenges are exposure to occupational health and safety hazards resulting in fatalities, injuries, and occupational diseases. Employees fear exercising their right to withdraw from dangerous working conditions due to victimization. Timely adoption of technology and leading practices to protect the health and safety of the mineworkers. The NEC is of the view that the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) must ensure that all mines collaborate with the D
organized labour to have health and safety days and campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of adhering to health and safety protocols. The NUM will continue to fight for zero fatality and zero harm in all four sectors it organises.

• Carletonville Tragedy: The NEC is extremely disturbed that on the 7th of October 2025, NUM Carletonville Region experienced a gruesome accident where a female worker who was working for a company called Covalent at Blyvoor 6 accidentally fell to her death in the shaft bottom. She was working as an Onsetter. This accident was very disturbing as there were allegations that the worker passed away while she was doing the work of a banksman, and we hope the investigations and the fatal inquiry and shed light on what really happened. Employers who compromise safety for production must face the full might of the law.

4. Action Against Privatisation: Western Cape March

The NEC unequivocally supports the upcoming NUM Western Cape Region and SACP march to Eskom and the Department of Employment and Labour offices on Saturday, 8th November 2025. This march is a direct offensive against:

• The Privatisation and Unbundling of Eskom and the Liberalisation of the Energy Sector, which serves capital at the expense of the working class.
• Wage stagnation and the exploitation of workers, including the
Exploitative Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
• Electricity tariff hikes that punish the poor.
• Constant delays in the signing of crucial wage agreements by the Minister of Employment & Labour.

• 5. A Decade of Struggle: Anniversary Celebrations

The NEC proudly acknowledges the political advancement and historical importance of key allied organizations.

• COSATU 40th Anniversary: The NEC congratulates the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) on its 40th Anniversary on 06 December 2025. We call on all NUM members to attend the
celebration at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto to honour the legacy of our founding Deputy President, Comrade Elijah Barayi, and the
Federation's pivotal role in the struggle for workers' rights and
democracy.Since its formation on December 1, 1985, COSATU has been at the forefront of the struggle, playing a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid and shaping the progressive labour landscape we know today. From championing the National Minimum Wage to advocating for improved working conditions and social protections, the Federation has consistently served as the voice of the working class. Former NUM founding Deputy Elijah Barayi was the first president of COSATU, serving as a key leader during the union federation's founding in 1985. His role was to help unify fragmented unions under the principle of "one industry, one union" and lead the federation in its fight against apartheid through strikes and campaigns for workers' rights and political freedom, such as the Living Wage Campaign and the demand for the release of political prisoners. Barayi played a crucial role in the unity talks that led to the creation of COSATU and was elected its first president at the inaugural rally in December 1985. As president, he became a prominent voice, famously declaring that "a giant has risen" to oppose the apartheid government. He helped lead COSATU's efforts to campaign for political change, including the unbanning of organizations like the ANC and the release of political prisoners.

• WFTU 80th Anniversary: The NEC congratulated the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) for celebrating its 80th anniversary at the Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg last week. The event was addressed by the WFTU Deputy General Secretary (DGS), comrade Swadesh Devroye. WFTU was established in Paris on 3 October 1945. The First World Trade Union Congress (Paris, 3-8 October 1945), which voted to establish the WFTU, was attended by delegates representing 67 million workers from 56 national organizations from 55 countries and 20 international organizations. The basic aim of the First World Trade Union Congress was nothing other than the objectives quoted above from the U. N. Charter. The U. N. Charter spoke in the name of “We the peoples of the United Nations”. The Paris Congress of WFTU spoke in the name of the working people of the world, organized in trade unions, who wanted a world free from war and social injustices.

• NUM Leadership Deployment: The NEC has formally extended its
congratulations to its General Secretary, comrade Mpho Phakedi for
being co-opted in the Central Committee (CC) of the SACP. The NEC also congratulated the NUM Youth Structure (NUMYS) National Political and Ideological Officer, Comrade Olorato Olifant, following her successful election to the South African Youth Council (SAYC) National Executive Committee (NEC). This demonstrates the NUM’s capacity to deploy capable leaders to advance the broader National Democratic Revolution.

For further information, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 082 882 3452
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/10086002340216