Johannesburg - The 15th congress of key Cosatu affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) ended late into the night on Friday with a dramatic twist after its general secretary, Frans Baleni was voted out.
He was replaced by Free State secretary David Sipunzi who won the fierce leadership battle after receiving 354 votes to Baleni’s 345.
North East secretary William Mabapa won against Tshimane Montoedi for the position of deputy general secretary. Joseph Montiesetsi was the new deputy president while acting president Piet Matosa was retained.
Some of the 700 members attending the congress had indicated earlier on Friday that they would agitate for change through their votes by displaying substitute signs with their hands as they queued to elect the new leaders.
Regions which supported the new leadership included the Free State and North East which covers workers from Limpopo and parts of Mpumalanga.
The change of guard within Num was met with jubilation by Cosatu unions which are sympathetic to expelled affiliate, the Metalworkers Union (Numsa) and former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi who was also dismissed from the federation. Vavi tweeted that; “Election of David Sipunzi as GS of the NUM is an extremely significant development which may change cause of history,” upon hearing the news.
Sipunzi was believed to have been elevated to the helm by members of NUM who weren’t happy with the manner in which NUM and by extension Cosatu had dealt with Vavi and Numsa. Throughout the three-day congress, speakers reminded the union’s members about the critical link between the federation’s stability following years of infighting and that of NUM.
They urged the mineworkers to rebuild themselves after losing close to a 100 000 members in a space of 3 years since 2012.
Outgoing general secretary, Frans Baleni wished the new leaders well and vowed to be of assistance to them. “The challenge is to rebuild the organisation,” he said.
Members of the union would be addressed by Sipunzi and other new leaders at Beatrix Mine in the Free State later on Saturday.
Labour Bureau