This was after he was forced to abandon the congress to address 15000 striking mineworkers at Carletonville, west of Johannesburg.

Vavi reported back to congress, saying the striking workers had tol d him they would not budge until they got a R12500 wage increase.

". this has huge implications for this country," Vavi said. "We must position ourselves ahead of the rolling ball. We have to have a militant declaration. If we don't do that, we might find ourselves chasing workers."

Speaking on the sidelines, NUM president Senzeni Zokwana said the Marikana deal - which saw the workers getting increases between 11% and 22%, after weeks of violent protests - had put the future of formal negotiation processes under "threat".

Zokwana accused Lonmin of violating established negotiation processes, saying the company had earlier refused to give workers 15% when negotiating with NUM, but buckled under pressure from NUM rival, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

"My concern is not that they negotiated high salaries, but the fact that they are undermining the institutions for negotiations," he said.

This view was supported by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe. "We can't afford to have people negotiating outside the formal structures. This is dangerous."

The Marikana salary settlement could deepen the fight for membership between the NUM and Amcu.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane - who was leading a government inter-ministerial committee (IMC) that has been working to resolve the Marikana situation - said that the government welcomed the salary settlement.

"The IMC is quite pleased and relieved that this matter has finally come to an end and wishes to congratulate all parties who were involved," he said.

"This matter, as also expressed by the negotiators, has presented challenges to all of us and our nation."

Business Unity South Africa also welcomed the deal. "Unfortunately it took six weeks and 44 deaths . to reach this point," spokesman Masego Lehihi said.

• This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 20 September 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition

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Fri May 24 05:01:42 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 21, 2012

KgoshiKgolo

May the Living God and Creator of all, bring a quick end to the existence of ANC and its rule in South Africa, may He Use his powerful Spirit of Fire to bring death of ANC and its spirit of corruption. May He also prevent The DA from ruling South Africa one day and destroy the satanic spirit of Nazism (superior race) that governs the DA. May he allow true democracy to the people to really elect their own leadres that they prefer. May all these happen for the love of the people of South Africa, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.
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Sep 21, 2012

jerico

wena Vavi ujola no Zuma.
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