NUMSA STATEMENT ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT MEDUPI POWER STATION

15 April 2015

The National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) has been engaged in a series of meetings with Eskom and contractors, in relation to the ongoing crisis at Medupi Power Station.

Numsa has received feedback from its members, specifically on the outcomes of our engagements with Eskom that started last week Thursday 09 April 2015. Our members have unanimously resolved not to go back to work. The decision taken by workers is consistent with our established traditions of being a worker-controlled; participatory and democratic union.

We refute the spurious and malicious accusations made by former NUM General Secretary and ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, alleging that Numsa is sabotaging work at Medupi for political ends. We are a responsible union; we can’t manipulate genuine grievances of workers, in order to achieve a political agenda. We call on Mantashe, to hold back his poisonous tongue and allow Numsa and Eskom to address the crisis at Medupi.

Numsa will continue to engage with Eskom and contractors to find a lasting solution in the best interest of our members. We will be communicating our position to Eskom as duly mandated by our members.

Statement issued by Castro Ngobese, NUMSA National Spokesperson, April 15 2015