THE National Union of Mineworkers wants mines to be nationalised 'to benefit ordinary South Africans'
The union says while it respects the decision of the ANC's national general council to refer the matter to a research team, it hopes the results will favour ordinary people.
The ANC Youth League is campaigning vigorously for mines to be nationalised, but government ministers have assured investors that mines will never be taken over by the state since it is not ANC policy.
Suspended ANCYL president Julius Malema has been accused of using mine nationalisation as a weapon to campaign for the removal of President Jacob Zuma in Mangaung next year.
Addressing a media briefing yesterday, NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said the union would analyse the National Planning Commission's development plan, but would not allow workers' gains to be eroded.
Without mentioning Malema, NUM said it was pleased the ANC was instilling discipline in its ranks.
"The ANC should be seen to be leading and leadership means that nobody should be allowed to pronounce on policy that was debated internally. Nobody must think he is above the ANC," NUM president Senzeni Zokwana said.
The union also appealed to workers and poor communities to be cautious of politicians who mislead them.
Baleni said poor people and workers should stand up and fight to change their conditions instead of relying on politicians.
"People who are poor must drive themselves out of their challenges, and should not be misled by people who are not faced with those challenges," said Baleni.
He said the union respected the ANC disciplinary processes and the outcomes which resulted in Malema being suspended.
"We respect ANC internal disciplinary procedures. The NGC emphasised there must be discipline in the organisation, and we accept the outcomes," he said.
Baleni declined to be drawn on details of the ANC disciplinary process and what the union's position was on Malema's suspension.
"Inxeba lendoda alihlekwa (you don't rejoice over someone's misfortune), so we don't want to get into details on this matter," Baleni said.
NUM wants mines to be nationalised
THE National Union of Mineworkers wants mines to be nationalised 'to benefit ordinary South Africans'
The union says while it respects the decision of the ANC's national general council to refer the matter to a research team, it hopes the results will favour ordinary people.
The ANC Youth League is campaigning vigorously for mines to be nationalised, but government ministers have assured investors that mines will never be taken over by the state since it is not ANC policy.
Suspended ANCYL president Julius Malema has been accused of using mine nationalisation as a weapon to campaign for the removal of President Jacob Zuma in Mangaung next year.
Addressing a media briefing yesterday, NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said the union would analyse the National Planning Commission's development plan, but would not allow workers' gains to be eroded.
Without mentioning Malema, NUM said it was pleased the ANC was instilling discipline in its ranks.
"The ANC should be seen to be leading and leadership means that nobody should be allowed to pronounce on policy that was debated internally. Nobody must think he is above the ANC," NUM president Senzeni Zokwana said.
The union also appealed to workers and poor communities to be cautious of politicians who mislead them.
Baleni said poor people and workers should stand up and fight to change their conditions instead of relying on politicians.
"People who are poor must drive themselves out of their challenges, and should not be misled by people who are not faced with those challenges," said Baleni.
He said the union respected the ANC disciplinary processes and the outcomes which resulted in Malema being suspended.
"We respect ANC internal disciplinary procedures. The NGC emphasised there must be discipline in the organisation, and we accept the outcomes," he said.
Baleni declined to be drawn on details of the ANC disciplinary process and what the union's position was on Malema's suspension.
"Inxeba lendoda alihlekwa (you don't rejoice over someone's misfortune), so we don't want to get into details on this matter," Baleni said.