NUM PWV region to lead a mass protest against the unbundling and privatisation of ESKOM and many other challenges faced by workers

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) PWV Region is set to lead a peaceful protest march on Saturday, 18 April 2026, to voice deep-seated frustration with Eskom’s current to unbundle and privatise, and also against other challenges faced by workers at various workplaces. The march will be led by the NUM General Secretary Cde Mpho Phakedi.

March Details:

• Starting time: 9am and handover of the memorandum at 12pm

• Assembly Point: Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg

• Objective: To submit memorandum of grievances to the Office of the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi

This mobilization represents the collective voice of workers who refuse to sit idly by while their livelihoods and statutory rights are eroded. The NUM is marching to the Gauteng Premier's Office to demand immediate intervention and accountability from both the state and the private sector.

The NUM in PWV region is marching against:

• The Unbundling of Eskom: We categorically reject the fragmented unbundling of our national power utility, which we view as a strategic move toward privatization that threatens job security and the energy sovereignty of our nation.
• Non-Compliance with the BCEA: It has come to our attention that several metal, construction companies are failing to adhere to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and Labor Relations Act. We will not tolerate the exploitation of workers through the violation of regulated working hours, leave entitlements, and fair remuneration standards.
• Mining Shaft on Care and Maintenance: We are extremely concerned about shafts that have been indefinitely put under care and maintenance as this negatively affects job security, loss of income and safety to mention the view.
• Closure of shaft and Illegal Mining: whenever a shaft closes, thousands of workers lose their jobs. We call for strategic intervention to address these two issues.
• Working Conditions of Construction Workers: Issues including but not limited to low wages, job security, unsafe working conditions and long working hours.
• Taxation: our members and workers in general have raised growing concerns about how taxes are applied to overtime, bonuses and withdrawals under the two-pot retirement system.
• Instability at Arcelor Mital: the instability of the company raises serious concerns and the lack of government support.
• Cast Product of South Africa under business rescue indefinitely: Workers have raised serious concerns in relation to company’s prolonged business rescue process. These concerns relate to job security, unpaid wages and poor management of the rescue process.
• High Electricity Prices: Many families and households are left with high level of stress as their budgets are already stretched by food inflation, interest rates and transport costs.

For more information and media interviews, please contact:

Senzo Mncwango, NUM PWV Regional Secretary, 071 681 9345

Calvin Matheys, NUM PWV Regional Chairperson, 060 991 7888

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