The Congress of South African Trade Unions mourns the tragic passing of six National Union of Mineworkers leaders who perished in car accident in Mpumalanga yesterday. We send our deepest condolences to their union, friends, and families.

This passing of mainly young and energetic leaders of our affiliated union is devastating for the Federation. The NUM is one of the unions that form the backbone of our Federation. It has been at the forefront of serious struggles on behalf of workers recently in the mining industry and Eskom, and in fact since its founding 40 years ago.

The union’s continuous revival and regeneration can be attributed to the quality of leaders that the union has elected at all levels. These deceased leaders who passed away formed part of that central leadership collective. They have led struggles that have rattled employers in the mining, construction, energy, and metal sectors.

We have seen them tirelessly work to stop the union from bleeding, championing worker unity and building this unity on the shopfloor with other unions operating in the same sectors. They deserve credit for building a vibrant democratic union that has the confidence of workers.

These departed leaders will be sorely missed by all of us.

May their souls rest in peace!

Issued by COSATU   

Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 6794