The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) notes the media reports that suggest that the ANC intends to charge COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. The NUM calls on the ANC to publicly distance itself from such reports. "In our view, if such intention exists, it is an attempt to muzzle the labour movement. COSATU is neither a junior partner nor a Sub-Committee in the Alliance " says Frans Baleni , the NUM General Secretary. The NUM is of the view that COSATU has a right to  articulate and express itself as per its constituency  and mandate of the labour movement and any attempt to marginalize COSATU Leadership or discipline it will be met with the contempt required. "No amount of threats will stop us from articulating our views. The bulk of our members are members of the African National Congress and we will defend the ANC with our blood from being derailed from its primary purpose of improving the lives of all South Africans" says Baleni. The NUM views any attempt to charge Vavi as a declaration of war and would go to the mountain tops to defend him.

Statement issued by Frans Baleni, NUM general secretary, May 31 2010

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