Nokukhanya Mntambo14 June 2024 | 6:24

Some NUM structures call for reduced term of office

The calls come amid internal squabbles in the union’s national executive committee, which is the union’s highest governance structure.

Some NUM structures call for reduced term of office

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) policy conference in Boksburg on 12 June 2024. Picture: Nokukhanya Mntambo/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Some structures of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) want the organisation to reduce the term of office for its leaders from five to three years.

The calls come amid internal squabbles in the union’s national executive committee, which is the union’s highest governance structure.

Delegates at the NUM policy conference in Boksburg on Thursday blamed the infighting for the union being relegated from its top position among rivals.

A Western Cape delegate had this to say.

"If we’ve elected wrong people, who after elections start fighting amongst themselves, at least we have a short period to correct that. If we leave this to half a decade then we might not have a union by then."

Another delegate from the union’s youth structure opposed the calls.

"There is no evidence that the current national leadership that the union is not up to the task, we therefore reject the proposal and the suggestion because it’s not going to be helpful for the organisation going forward."