/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the Western Cape region calls  upon Good Hope Construction (GHC) to stop spreading malicious propaganda, but work towards resolving the current stalemate between the company and NUM members.

We note the lies which have been propagated by GHC as an attempt to blackmail NUM members. It is very unfortunate to learn that GHC makes a claim that there is a labour court ruling which demands NUM to pay R300 000 for the alleged loss and damages. As the NUM, we wish to dismiss these false claims as nothing but propaganda aimed at blackmailing our union and such a court order does not exist.

The employer must now realise that the five weeks long strike will never be resolved by distortion of facts through media but only the negotiations of both parties can rescue the situation.

INTIMIDATION OF NUM MEMBERS BY EMPLOYER

We call upon Good Hope Construction to stop intimidating our members that they must resign from the NUM before they lose their jobs. On this, we vow to take steps to see to it that it comes to an end.

We have also noted the divide and rule tactic which the employer has embarked upon in trying to divide African and coloured workers.

We would like to emphasise that the NUM is not a union of darkies but a union of workers irrespective of colour and nationality. We condemn employers attempt to target both foreign nationals and the coloured section of the workers as nothing but racism. GHC must know that we are not going to fight our fellow comrades from other countries working for the company because our enemy remains the employer who refuses to comply with labour laws and nobody else.

RESPONSE BY THE BUILDING INDUSTRY BARGAINING COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORT

Following our successful marches to the Goodhope Construction offices, Building Industry Bargaining Council, the Provincial government, as the NUM we note and welcome the acknowledgment of our memorandum by both the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Building Industry Bargaining Council. Whilst GHC dismisses the demands by workers but both organs confirm the legitimacy of the workers grievances.

ARREST MELIKHAYA PHISANA KILLERS NOW

As the NUM, we are concerned by the snail pace on the investigation by our South African Police Service for an imminent arrest of the killers of Melikhaya Phisana who was brutally murdered by Gangsters hired by GHC. Therefore, we call upon our SAPS to accelerate their pace and make an imminent arrest.

It is against this background that the NUM on Wednesday, 27TH May 2015 will March to Kraaifontein Police station and the construction site in Scotsdene demanding for:
•    A speedy investigation and an imminent arrest of the murderers, and
•    Construction site be closed until the workers’ demands are met.

MEMORIAL SERVICE AND FUNERAL OF COMRADE MELIKHAYA

On Wednesday, 27th May 2015 at 17h30, Bongolwethu High school, Phillippi we will hold a memorial service of the late Melikhaya. Furthermore, the funeral will be on Saturday, 30th May 2015 in Umthatha, Sithebe village, Matshayi. Both events will be attended and addressed by the leadership of the NUM and ANC-led alliance (SACP, SANCO, and COSATU).