Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) national organisers forum on Friday said the Rustenburg platinum belt has been indentified as the organisation’s “weakest link” and its operations there were being undermined by “apologists” for ousted Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
In a statement issued after a two-day national organisers’ forum, NUM said it would defend the trade union federation by “explaining to members in clear and no uncertain terms about what is really happening in Cosatu”.
Vavi, who was axed last month, on Thursday evening gave his version of events to an audience of some 300 trade unionists in Cape Town.
He said he was sidelined after 16 years at the helm as sanction for his opposition to the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, and his outspoken criticism of the government.
Vavi signalled that he was ready to fight to reunite the fractured federation, dampening expectations that, along with Numsa, he could rapidly establish a rival movement.
NUM, which has in recent years lost members in the platinum belt to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), added: “The organisers have
identified Rustenburg as the weakest link to NUM and an area targeted by Vavi apologists.”
ANA