Labour Court vindicates NUM over Lonmin

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) welcomes the decision of the Labour Court in Johannesburg in stopping Lonmin from evicting the NUM from offices at its Eastern and Western Platinum mines in Rustenburg. In passing judgement, the Honourable Justice Basson ordered that "the 90 day period contemplated in terms of clause 12.1 of the recognition agreement will run from 16 April to 16 July". In other words, contrary to Lonmin ‘s intentions to close NUM offices at these operations on the 30th May 2013, the court has put the date as the 16th of July. Thus, the NUM has until the 16th July to recoup its membership at these operations.

The court has further instructed Lonmin to give access to the NUM or any other interested party of stop order revocation forms and that such records be placed at an independent firm of attorneys in Rustenburg.

The NUM welcomes the order given by the court and is strongly of the view that such an order vindicates our position to continue the occupation of these offices at Lonmin. The court made this decision at its sitting yesterday.

Statement issued by Lesiba Seshoka, National Union of Mineworkers spokesman, May 29 2013

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