Another NUM member is attacked and severely assaulted at Union Mine in Limpopo
3 March 2014
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is again shocked and saddened that another member of the NUM at Union Mine in Limpopo was attacked and severely assaulted while going to work this morning.
William Nkoebele who is a Winch Operator at Union Mine suffered serious head injuries, broken ribs and broken arms.
NUM Chairperson at Union Mine, Steve Modikwane confirmed that Nkoebele was attacked when he was going to work this morning.
"These guys are killing us. I just came back from hospital to see him. We do not think this violence is going to stop. Management is forcing workers to come to work as early as 5 am in the morning when it is still dark. That is when workers get attacked. Our workers want to go to work but they are not safe.," Modikwane said.
Modikwane said workers who lives in squatter camps next to the mine are the one's who get attacked as there is no visibility of the mine security and the police.
NUM has many times called on the government, the police and the mine bosses to be on high alert to protect workers and our members in
particular who are not on strike and want to work.
There is no safety for our members who are going to work in the platinum belt. Havoc is raining free in the platinum belt and
violence is a case in point. Our members are intimidated and severely assaulted. it is totally unacceptable.
NUM believes that workers can lead an effective disciplined industrial action.
We again appeal to the police and mine security to be on high alert and protect workers and our members who are reporting to work. We expect all mining companies affected by the strike to take serious action to protect workers and to discipline the culprits. Cases of intimidation and assaults must be recorded.
NUM remains the champion in the fight for better conditions of employment and wages for workers.
Statement issued by Livhuwani Mammburu, Acting NUM National Spokesperson and Steve Modikwane, NUM Branch Chairperson at Union Mine, March 3 2014
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