The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was blocking the prosperity of workers in the mining industry, Joseph Mathunjwa, president of the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), said on Wednesday.
“The NUM is in bed with capitalists. The once powerful union before 1994 forgets about the workers... they now belong to the museum,” he said.
Mathunjwa was speaking at the memorial service of union member Thembinkosi Mhlabeni at Smashed block informal settlement near Northam in Limpopo.
Mhlabeni, 52, was stabbed to death on June 6 when Amcu and NUM members clashed near the R510 road between Northam and Thabazimbi.
The clash was triggered by the death of NUM member Mthetheleli Somaxhama, 45, who was gunned down a day earlier. Both men had been stope machine operators at Zondereinde mine.
Somaxhama was shot several times at a hiking spot in Northam, while Mhlabeni was stabbed when he failed to scale a fence whilst fleeing from a group of attackers. Mathunjwa said no union affiliated to the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) would represent workers properly because it had business interest in companies and was also in alliance with the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
“The NUM was a strong union, it forgot about the workers and focus on its business interest. This was the downfall of the NUM.” He said Amcu was apolitical and prioritised the mandate of its members. “My only sin is that no decision we took with workers is changed in certain offices. That is why Amcu is not wanted at Northam Platinum...”
He said Amcu was suing Northam Platinum, the police and NUM following the death of Mhlabeni. “The mine management failed to protect our members...why did the mine not instruct the workers who were at the boom gate to leave before NUM members arrive?” he asked.
He called on union members not to avenge Mhlabeni's death but instead called for them to be united. “Do not take weapons, do not avenge his death, let the blood of comrade Thembinkosi unite the workers,” he said.
He said Amcu members would not return to work until the mine assured the union that workers would be safe. “We want to go back to work but, we want to know if our members will be safe.”
African News Agency