The Congress of South African Trade Union condemns the attack of NUM members by AMCU members at Sibanye-Stillwater Beatrix mine in Welkom, Free State. We send our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased miner and wish all the injured miners a speedy recovery.
We expect law enforcement agencies to arrest these criminals who attacked innocent workers. Violence and vigilante tendencies continue to be a deep problem for the mining sector and the failure to deal decisively with the criminality in the sector is an indictment on law enforcement agencies of this country.
It is unacceptable that so many families are losing their breadwinners in the mining sector through senseless violence. The mine bosses have to acknowledge and confront the fact that they are primarily responsible for fostering discord and violence in many workplaces in the sector. The undeniable fact is that it is their quest for super profits that has created orphans and cost workers their lives.
COSATU is calling on workers to denounce violence, warlordism and push back against all forms of intimidation that are meant to undermine their right to Freedom of Association.
Workers need to unite and fight for job security, push for economic growth and easy access to educational, housing and other facilities for themselves. They should denounce violence and expose the criminals sowing discord and violence amongst themselves.
Issued by COSATU
Sizwe Pamla (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 679