The arrest of seven AMCU members opens a can of worms

NUM Press Statement, 14 March 2016

The arrest of seven AMCU members opens a can of worms

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Region of Carletonville feels that the arrest of the seven AMCU members serving as trustees of Impala Workers Provident Fund on allegations of soliciting bribes for the funeral insurance company that administer their funds has opened a can of worms.

As they claimed majority status in gold during wage and conditions of employment negotiations, they demanded that the Mineworkers Provident Fund be put under Igula, which was understood to be their own company. This demand did not see the light of the day. Mineworkers must sing hallelujah that this did not happen. The reasons for this demand are clearer now than they were then.

In one of their branches in the Carletonville, they suspended one of their branch leaders for having blown a whistle against a sub – Contractor Company that is alleged to have seriously ignored the safety of its employees. This resulted in the main company terminating the contract. He was suspended for having bitten the hand that feeds others in their committee. There are strong allegations by AMCU members that some within their leadership were bought cars by some companies. Given the new developments, these cannot be taken lightly as it leaves a lot of questions as far as this is concerned.

It is in this same branch where AMCU leadership agreed with the employer that workers work on Public Holidays, i.e. 16 June 2016 and 09 August 2016 in exchange for Easter and Christmas break.

“We are very much concerned about this corruption in AMCU as the same union is consistent in pointing its finger to the NUM without any proof,” said Zimisele Ponti, NUM Carletonville Regional Chairperson.

“We are equally concerned that the public holidays that we fought hard for are now being sold to the employers and the two days talks to serious struggles against the apartheid government in the history of this country. The question is what benefit these people derive from selling out workers to the capital?" , Ponti added

The messiah has turned to be the devil.

For more information, please contact:

Zimisele Ponti: NUM Carletonville Regional Chairperson: 076 981 1723
Mbuyiseli Hibana: NUM Carletonville Regional Secretary: 082 883 7291

The National Union of Mineworkers
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Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

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