NUM’s position with regard to the latest local and international developments directly affecting the poor working class

Media Statement, 27 September 2024

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has observed with interest numerous developments taking place both locally and internationally.  Therefore, as a progressive global trade union, we cannot stand idling without expressing our views.

It is vital that where deemed necessary, as a trade union, we should express our condemnation on such matters that are directly or indirectly affecting the plight of the working class across the world. We remained firm in our view that some of these developments  require both the local and international solidarity, and patriotism that is built within our own country.

The NUM has decided to echo its sentiments on the following matters of interest:

• ON ESKOM’ APPLICATION FOR 36% ELECTRICITY PRICE INCREASE

Eskom had recently requested the National Energy Regulator to support its application for a 36% price increase for the power utility`s 2026 financial year.  In our view as workers this carries more appeal to Eskom`s creditors than that of the national interest. The posture of the utility seeks to enhance cashflow at the expense of its consumers, both small businesses and the working class.

The NUM appreciates the importance for Eskom to maintain a healthy financial  statement by amongst other things, reducing its R400 billion debt.

But that should not happen at the expense of the blood and sweat of the poorer of the poor who are already being decimated by the current weak economy.

We are joining the multitudes of voices in rejecting the request by the power utility and also making a call upon NERSA to do the same. Any support to such an application would serve to undermine our economy further and worsen the country’s inflation rate.

• THE 7TH OCTOBER COSATU NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

On the 7^th October 2024 our Federation, COSATU, will embark on a national strike, to against a number of socio-economic ills the country is faced with.

As a result, the NUM support COSATU `s initiatives to call for a stop on the following:

• Mass retrenched by companies in the mining ; construction and metal.
• Exploitation of workers and slavery salaries.
• Poor working conditions and lack of Health & safety at the workplace.
• Attack on Collective Bargaining by both public and private sector
• Austerity measures which disadvantage government to serve working class communities appropriately
• Rising cost of living which is decimating working class families
• High unemployment rate at 33%
• High crime rates

We further call on government to discharge the following progressive interventions aggressively with a sense of urgency:

• Speedy implementation of Zondo Commission Recommendations as part of escalating the fight against looting and corruption
• Implementation of National Health Insurance
• Act decisively on violence against women, children, and the vulnerable

• SALUTE TO FORMER MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN

The NUM also takes this moment to mourn the death of comrade Pravin Gordhan who died last week while in hospital. We send our condolences to his family and comrades across the country. We raise our salutation to him for the sacrifices he made in our liberation struggle, pre-and post-democratic dispensation.

We celebrate him in his bravest and relentless fight against the massive looting and corruption that bedevilled our country through the capture of the democratic state. Thus, he earned a lot of enemies both locally and internationally. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

In his memory we are calling on the South African government to strengthen and give support to whistle-blowers in the fight against looting and corruption which takes away our resources that are aimed at benefitting and serving our poor people.

• REPATRIATION OF THE REMAINING MORTALS OF THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

South Africa today is defined by its high levels of crime, poverty, unemployment, abuse to women and children, and inequality, and to mention a few social-economic elements of a state in decay. This is not what those who joined the ranks of armed struggle envisioned. The existence of this collective social malice is a betrayal of the sacrifices they made for democratic change in South Africa.

We honour the commitment and recognise the sacrifices made by those who died in exile and those who were repatriated to their home country South Africa on the 25^th September 2024, our national heritage month. We recognise them in their different organisations as the struggle to free South Africa was one from many fronts and organisations. We pay homage to the families of these 49 fighters who were repatriated.

We include even those whose bones are yet to be returned. We hope this will contribute in bringing closure to the affected families across the country.  They deserve a proper reburial by their families and the country to preserve dignity. Thus, as the NUM, we support all efforts and government policy enabling repatriation and restitution efforts.

We equally mourn the recent and sudden passing on of our fellow comrades in the arts and culture industry following each other in a short space of time. Some are already buried and others are to be buried soon. The contributions in the entertainment industry by these fellows shall be dearly missed by all of us. It is unfortunate that many of them passed on while struggling to survive economically and otherwise. The sad part is that we lost them during the month of tourism; entertainment and heritage.

• PUDEMO

The NUM has noted with disbelief the attempted assassination of PUDEMO President comrade Mlungisi Makhanya, through alleged food poisoning. It raises more concerns that he was poisoned in South African soil where he has been in exile for the past two years. We know that he ran to South Africa after another assassination attempt when his house was bombed.

It is obvious that the Eswatini Monarchy wants him dead as he is a custodian of democracy which has been insistently challenging the despotic monarchy. These attempts are driven by desperation by the system including even putting a price on his head, to tempt those driven by greedy and material things. We condemn all these as the NUM. Thus, we support the struggle of the masses of Eswatini who fight for freedom and democracy in their land.

We condemn the conduct of the despotic monarchy together with its sympathisers and call on the South African government to investigate this cross-border attempt to his life as it undermines our sovereignty as it undermines our national security system and turns our country into a banana Republic.

South Africa should not behave like other SADC countries that have fold their solidarity efforts on the alter of political clientelism in the continent. We vow to support the struggle of the masses in Eswatini and shall join them in all forms of legal protests.

• ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH

We condemn the Israel regime for its escalation of the regional war in the Middle East as the current attack on Lebanon simply escalates the regional implosion in which children and women bear casualty. The world knows Israel `s appetite to eat women and children and it is not surprising that these are a major statistic in Gaza and in Lebanon. Its strategy thrives on genocidal slaughter of soft targets as it is unable to defeat its direct opponents such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The union shall continue to promote international solidarity through force of action and active campaigns to support struggle of the working class in the country and across the globe. It shall intensify efforts to defends the rights of workers nationally and internationally in an effort to democratise the workplaces to advance human rights.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM Acting 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/10086002340216