NUM statement on the so-called 9 affiliates.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) calls on the so-called 9 affiliates who held a press conference and the march to Cosatu headquarters this week that their behaviour is an indication that their energy is directed in the wrong place.
Their call for the unconditional and immediate reinstatement of Numsa coupled with their claim of Numsa unconstitutional dismissal is a clear indication of their misinterpretation of the Cosatu constitution. If they have read the Cosatu constitution correctly they will see that the constitution gives power to the CEC to dismiss or suspend an affiliate, therefore the decision could not be unconstitutional.
In fact, their call for the reinstatement of Numsa is unconstitutional because Cosatu constitution clearly states that if the CEC expels an affiliate it is only the National Congress that can change the decision. Their energy and attempt for reinstatement Numsa is totally unconstitutional and out of order.
Furthermore, the march to Cosatu headquarters yesterday and their memorandum with seven demands is quite disturbing because the accusations of the office bearers being factional and dividing the federation are unfounded.
The 9 affiliates are guilty of dividing their unions and the federation because there are a fraction of their membership within their unions and they drive a factional interest and not a structural organisation interest.