Cosatu calls for an end to violence

Cosatu says urgent action needs to be taken to put an end to the violence that continues to haunt the mining industry.

Johannesburg - Cosatu says urgent action needs to be taken to put an end to the violence that continues to haunt the mining industry.

The federation’s calls follows clashes between members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which have left two miners dead.

Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said on Friday the federation welcomed a commitment by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane for an urgent probe into the killings at Northam platinum mine in Limpopo.

However, Pamla said Cosatu was concerned at the slow pace of arrests.

Read also: No warm welcome for Zwane at NUM gathering

“It is troubling that, despite the killing of many NUM members all across the country, especially in Rustenburg, we have not seen any consistent prosecution of perpetrators,” said Pamla.

Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa has called the violence unnecessary and said he was concerned about the situation.

“The latest outbreak of violence needs to stop before more innocent people lose their lives. Government made a commitment in 2013 that it was going to restore law and order to counter the violence and conflict in the mining sector and we expect them to deliver on that promise,” said Pamla.

Cosatu said the language used by leaders should be cautious to ensure it did not incite violence.

It also warned stability in the sector was paramount so that the focus shifted back to stabilising the sector and saving jobs.

“Cosatu wants all stakeholders to focus on the socioeconomic conditions of workers and the wellbeing of communities where mines operate. We should all be talking about the provision of proper housing for mineworkers,” said Pamla.

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