Lonmin strikers want NUM out

466 14-05-2013 Striking Lonmin mine workers sit outside Rowland shaft in Marikana next to Vonderkop stadium. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

466 14-05-2013 Striking Lonmin mine workers sit outside Rowland shaft in Marikana next to Vonderkop stadium. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

Published May 15, 2013

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Marikana - The wildcat strike at Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana will continue until workers' demands are met, a worker said on Wednesday.

“Even (if) it means we are not paid, the strike will continue until (the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)) is out,” said Sipho Jele.

“If NUM leaves in July, we are prepared to go without pay until they go.”

He was one of the workers who have downed tools to demand the immediate closure of NUM offices at all Lonmin shafts.

“They are no longer a majority union; they must leave,” he said.

Jele said workers were also angry about the death of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) North West regional organiser Mawethu Steven.

Steven was shot dead in Photsaneng on Saturday.

Twin brothers Ayanda and Andile Menzi were shot dead in their shack in Nkaneng, Marikana, also on Saturday. One of them was an NUM shop steward.

Lonmin said it was conducting talks with representatives of the unions organising at Lonmin.

Spokeswoman Sue Vey said Amcu and NUM had indicated that they did not call the strike.

She told reporters that notice had been given to the NUM to vacate the offices in July.

In a list of demands, Amcu said it wanted NUM members to be arrested for carrying weapons on the mine's premises.

Vey said the company did not permit the carrying of firearms.

“Anyone found guilty of this violation of company policy will be reported to the police and face disciplinary action.”

Last year 44 people were killed during a wage-related strike at Marikana. They included 34 people shot dead by the police on August 16, and 10 people - including two policemen and two security guards Ä killed in the preceding week. - Sapa

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