NUM holds first rally in Marikana since 2012 massacre
The NUM has not been in the area for seven years after rival union, Amcu took over as the largest union for workers in the region.
JOHANNESBURG – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is holding its first rally in Marikana striking Lonmin mineworkers were shot dead by police seven years ago.
The miners were demanding a R12,500 monthly salary during the August 2012 violent strike which came to be known as the Marikana massacre.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has since taken over being the largest union for workers in the region.
NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said, “We are trying to resuscitate our membership since 2012. Our members in Marikana have called to say they want a rally in Marikana, so we listened to the mandate of our workers.”
#MarikanaRally electrifying mood inside the Marikana West Community Hall pic.twitter.com/f2KHK0vps2
— NUM (@NUM_Media) November 17, 2019
The rally takes place just as Sibanye said, earlier this year, that it could cut around 5,270 jobs as it restructures its loss-making Marikana mine.
Sibanye said the restructuring was aimed at returning the mine to profit and ensuring the sustainability of the remaining shafts.
After a review into the mine’s operations, some shafts at risk of closure would continue to operate, lessening job losses, Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said.
“Overall, the outcome will be a more sustainable business which is able to secure employment for the majority of the Marikana workforce for a much longer period,” he said in a statement.
Marikana was previously owned by Lonmin before the struggling platinum miner was taken over by Sibanye-Stillwater in a deal seen as the only way to save its 29,000-strong workforce. The mine was where 34 striking miners died in 2012 after being shot by police.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
More in Local
-
ANC says it cannot exonerate itself from SA power crisis
-
Rechargeable lights, gas stoves & generators selling fast amid load shedding
-
15 eThekwini municipal officials, contractors arrested
-
2 teens arrested for Cape Town station fire
-
Placing SAA under business rescue isn’t privatisation - Magashule
-
Sabotage a factor in load shedding, says Ramaphosa
Comments
EWN welcomes all comments that are constructive, contribute to discussions in a meaningful manner and take stories forward.
comments powered by DisqusHowever, we will NOT condone the following:
- Racism (including offensive comments based on ethnicity and nationality)
- Sexism
- Homophobia
- Religious intolerance
- Cyber bullying
- Hate speech
- Derogatory language
- Comments inciting violence.
We ask that your comments remain relevant to the articles they appear on and do not include general banter or conversation as this dilutes the effectiveness of the comments section.
We strive to make the EWN community a safe and welcoming space for all.
EWN reserves the right to: 1) remove any comments that do not follow the above guidelines; and, 2) ban users who repeatedly infringe the rules.
Should you find any comments upsetting or offensive you can also flag them and we will assess it against our guidelines.
EWN is constantly reviewing its comments policy in order to create an environment conducive to constructive conversations.