North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to denounce violence and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence at Lonmin and other mines around Rustenburg.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the violence that has claimed the life of an NUM shop steward and left another injured after a shooting incident at Wonderkop hostel earlier today. There is no place for strong arm tactics and the use of violence in our labour relation regime that allows freedom of association,” stressed Premier Modise on Monday.
Modise called on workers to remain calm and assist police in their investigations in order to unmask those behind the recent spate of violence.
“Those stoking the violence have lost sight of the need for workers to act in unison to address the challenges facing the mining sector. Acts of intolerance and violence can only serve to weaken them when taking up genuine issues against their employers,” she highlighted.
According to police, one of the two men died at the scene and one was taken to hospital after the shots were fired between 11h00 and noon.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com