NUM vows to probe stabbings
|Published
A man leads striking miners in a dance near Rustenburg. NUM officials have promised to investigate two stabbing incidents allegedly involving union members in Sandown. File photo: AP A man leads striking miners in a dance near Rustenburg. NUM officials have promised to investigate two stabbing incidents allegedly involving union members in Sandown. File photo: AP
Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers will be investigating a report of two stabbings that allegedly involved its members in Sandton as the country heads into strike season.
“If any of our members were involved in this, they will be facing serious disciplinary action. We want to send the right message,” said NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka.
Sandton police station spokeswoman Captain Kym Cloete said the incident took place in Sandown at about 11am on Monday. It was unclear what actually happened.
“We are still waiting for someone to open a docket. What we know is that two individuals were taken away by ambulance,” she said.
The construction industry is one of several sectors that have launched strikes recently.
Seshoka said about 90 000 NUM members didn’t pitch up for work on Monday.
The union, he said, would begin the process of negotiating with employers over the next few days.
Meanwhile, in the motor industry, a generous offer from the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation of a 10-percent increase over three years has caused speculation that the strike will be called off soon.
“The strike is still on and we will be meeting in Johannesburg to discuss the offer,” said NUM national treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo.
In 2010, the union accepted an offer of a 10-percent wage increase for one year and a nine-percent increase over the next two years.
On Monday, a strike by SAA technical staff had minimal effect on air traffic at OR Tambo International Airport.
SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said three flights were delayed in the morning.
He added that SAA had presented the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union with a “revised and improved” offer.
Airports Company South Africa spokeswoman Deborah Francis said the strikers were not allowed in the airport and were confined to the SAA technical park.
Other strikes also loom.
The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union said it had given clothing employers until the end of Monday to settle a pay dispute, otherwise 50 000 of its members would strike.
Another large strike threat is in the gold mining sector.
NUM has given the gold-mining industry a week to come up with a better wage offer. If it doesn’t, 80 000 workers could down tools. - The Star