The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins its resilient Affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in condemning the unprovoked viciously violent attack on its members at Impala Platinum’s South Shaft on Thursday morning.

NUM members were at the mine to attend the memorial service of a colleague who lost his life in a fatal incident last week. Despite the deceased having been a staunch member of NUM, Impala Platinum management is said to have inexplicably attempted to prevent fellow members from attending the memorial, granting exclusive access to AMCU members instead.

It was at this point that NUM members, led by the Rustenburg Regional leadership, were reportedly brutally attacked by AMCU members brandishing firearms, knives and knobkerries on mine premises. Several NUM members were injured and were eventually attended to by medics.

The question arises – why were AMCU members allegedly allowed on mine premises with such dangerous weapons on their person when NUM members were made to go through access control, searched and tested for alcohol? Why the apparent attempt to block NUM members from bidding a final farewell to their colleague when they have been part of the investigation to determine the cause of the accident from the start.

COSATU echoes its Affilaite, NUM, and also demands to know how security protocols failed to prevent the attack from happening.  In addition, Impala Platinum must come clean and explain why it attempted to block NUM from saying a final goodbye to its dedicated member. Management must take accountability for the security breach and the shoddy manner they handled the memorial service.

Impala Platinum must realise it cannot union bash via proxy or allow criminality or violence and intimidation on its premises. The company must take full responsibility for what unfolded today and make absolutely sure such incidents do not recur because the consequences are too dire to contemplate.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za