NUM shocked by 'increasing violence' at mines

THE National Union of Mineworkers has expressed shock at the increasing violence and intimidation at Impala Platinum and Lonmin mines.

NUM's national executive committee appealed to both companies and the police to "take drastic action against workers who commit crimes with impunity".

"The NUM strongly warns the companies and law enforcement agencies not to allow a situation where we will be forced to call on our members to defend themselves," it said in a statement.

NUM said there had been several cases of assault cases at Lonmin and many deaths at Impala.

Illegal mining activities, particularly in the Free State, were NUM's other concerns.

NUM said the dependants of mine workers should be compensated, irrespective of the cause of death.

The union also called on Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba to intervene at Eskom where there was a lack of a minimum service level agreement.

This situation disadvantaged Eskom workers and interfered with their right to strike, the NUM said.

Its national congress takes place at Emperors Palace, in Kempton Park, from May 23 to 26.