NUM in KwaZulu-Natal is calling for the arrest of the shift boss

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the KwaZulu-Natal region is calling for the arrest of the shift boss, following the fatal incident that took place at Jindal Mining in Piet Retief on 18th October 2019 at 2 am in the morning. We are calling for the arrest because the company was issued with section 54 by DMR on the 17th of October 2019; however, the company through its arrogant shift boss failed to comply with section 54.

“It has been brought to our attention as the NUM that, our members who were on night shift were not formally briefed during the beginning of the shift by their Shift Boss about section 54 that was d on the 17th October 2019, as a result, the night shift resume their work routine as if everything was normal. We know that the root cause for this was to meet the production target at the expense of our member’s safety,” Muzikayise Zakwe. 

“We have noted these tendencies from employers when issued with section 54 they would do whatever it takes to overlook and ignore section 54 in order to achieve their high production target. Production bonuses that are driven by high production targets are creating problems in the mining sector, therefore the Department of Minerals and Energy needs to eradicate these neoliberal business approaches in the sector,” Zakwe added.

We want to state it categorically clear that, NUM in KwaZulu Natal will never rest before this Shift Boss is arrested and prosecuted for the fatal incident which has robbed us our member(William Simelane). Furthermore want to see the Department of Minerals and Energy acting like a government watchdog that is caring for its citizens in the mining sector, which can be achieved through intensive and proper investigation. We don’t want an investigation that will take forever because at times these investigations are delayed deliberately by arrogant mining companies while being assisted by corrupt DMR inspectors.

For more information, please contact:

Muzikayise Zakwe: NUM Kwazulu-Natal Regional Secretary: 083 417 1369 or 0664752246

Address:

7 Rissik Street.

Cnr Frederick,

Johannesburg 2001

Tel: 011 377 2111