Workers at Zondareinde division calls for the removal of Paul Dunne as the CEO of Northam Platinum with immediate effect.
NUM Press Statement, 14 January 2015
Workers at Zondareinde division calls for the removal of Paul Dunne as the CEO of Northam Platinum with immediate effect.
The workers hereby stand with one voice that the following people who are employees of Northam Platinum must also be removed.
1. Paul Dunne-CEO
2. Collin Smith-HR Executive Director
3. Ncedisa Maqoma-HR Manager
4. Marco Van Der Linde-HR Operations Manager
5. Danny Gonsalves- General Manager.
The reasons for the removal of the above-mentioned management team is that there are clear indications to divide, weaken and reverse all the progressive policies that are regulating the employment relations at Northam Platinum Mine. The example of this is that workers discovered that a white female employee was employed without following proper procedures. When management was alerted to this malpractice they tried to justify it. Employees further demonstrated against this practice. Management responded by threatening disciplinary action without dealing with the actual issues. Furthermore, workers are subjected to unfair dismissals for being on valid sick leaves. Despite numerous attempts by the branch leadership to resolve these issues with management, management does not listen and refuse to meet with the branch leadership. This is a matter of principle because if management can be allowed to alter policies at the drop of heat, they will even alter all policies without consultation. Policies are there to be observed by all.
As workers, we have observed the actions of Paul Dunne as a new CEO of the company with serious reservations. First, we know that he is the man who does not adhere to policies. Secondly, he is the man who thrives on divide and rule thus black on black violence. We further observed that he brought his blood thirsty monsters from Impala Mine that is Collin Smith, Leo Van Schalkwyk and others. The workers would not allow this divisive character to do what he did at Impala Mine.
As worker's, we have taken this action to stop these monsters pushing our company towards the direction that pushed the mining industry in 2012. We therefore call upon the board of directors of Northam Platinum to remove them with immediate effect for the sake of peace and industrial relations stability. As workers, we have taken a stance that we have never approved the appointment of this divisive character by the name of Paul Dunne. The reason why we were quiet all along was to give the company the benefit of the doubt to see if he had learnt anything of what he has subjected the mining industry into. It seems he has learnt absolutely nothing and therefore we cannot fold our arms and say "Yes Baas".
For more information, please contact:
Livhuwani Mammburu:
083 809 3257 (Acting NUM National Spokesperson)
Ecliff Tantsi:
082 941 4210 (NUM Chief Negotiator at Northam Platinum)
