STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE NUMSA PRESIDENT IN THE SOWETAN "NUMSA BOSS USING UNION" 25 NOVEMBER 2013

25 November 2013

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) National Office Bearers (NOB) noted a report in today's Sowetan "Numsa boss using union", 25 November 2013, wherein certain statements are attributed to the Numsa President.

As NOB's we became aware of the possible running of this story already on Saturday 23 November 2013 when the Sowetan Political Editor texted a message to the cellphone of the Numsa General Secretary in the following terms;

"Afternoon Mr. Jim, I am working a story about your visit to Nkandla together with Numsa president. Did u ask president Zuma that u had a candidate for position of and deputy president and that was suspended Cosatu boss Mr. Vavi. If yes were u mandated by Numsa to ask. Numsa president says you are angry with anc because your plan did not work. Kindly get back to me as soon as u can. Moipone Malefane Sowetan."

The Numsa General Secretary responded to this journalist as follows;

"As Numsa GS I cannot be reduced to discussing any Numsa office bearer in the media. All Numsa leaders and members know that Numsa is busy with its internal preparations for its Special National Congress. I expect the President of Numsa to be fully aware of this and to use internal Numsa Special National Congress processes to air his views. I respectfully decline to respond to your questions."

The Numsa Central Committee (CC) held on 16-17 November 2013 unconditionally received and accepted the Numsa President's apology for having made similar utterances in Sowetan, Business Day and the Sunday Times.

We maintain that the Numsa National Office Bearers will not engage any of its leaders, let alone the Numsa President in the media.

Statement issued by Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary, November 25 2013

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