NUM Women's Structure concerned on the death of Thembisile Yende at Eskom

Press Statement, 05 June 2017

NUM Women's Structure concerned on the death of Thembisile Yende at Eskom

The National Union of Mineworkers Women's Structure is shocked with a deep sense of concern on the gruesome death of Thembisile Yende, whose lifeless body was found in her office at an ESKOM  Sub Station in Springs east of Johannesburg. This suspicious discovery happens after two weeks of her disappearance in her workplace, while there were reported numerous searches conducted by the employer throughout her period of disappearance. 

This happens at the backdrop of increased reported cases of abuse against women and children in the country, let alone one of our own losing her life in the workplace, where we spend most our time as employees. The NUM Women's Structure is equally appalled at the reported dysfunctionality of the CCTV camera's during the day of her disappearance and there was no security guard on duty. We suspect foul play and a cover up underway, thus we are calling on the recently appointed Acting Commissioner of Police Lieutenant General Mothiba to set up a special task team to probe this heinous crime. Since there seem to be a covered up at play, which leaves female employees in that Power-station as sitting ducks, while this predator can attack at any moment. 

We are also calling on government and Eskom management to ensure they increase security at the power station, which we thought was a National Key Point with maximum security. This reinforce our long-held view of women at the workplace being vulnerable to discrimination (race and gender), sexual harassment, rape and murder; "The NUM Women structure will leave no stone unturned until we find the perpetrator of this atrocious act and women in South Africa are safe to apply their trade in their workplace on an equal basis" said Phumeza Mgengo National Secretary of NUM Women's Structure.

Phumeza Mgengo: NUM Women's Structure National Secretary: 076 359 4268

The National Union of Mineworkers
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