Mathunjwa warns Impala Platinum against job cuts
Six years since the Marikana tragedy, there’s uncertainty about job security, as thousands of mineworkers around the Rustenburg Platinum Belt face retrenchment.
Speaking to thousands of mineworkers converged to pay homage to the 34 mineworkers who lost their lives on this day in 2012, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa threatened to bring the platinum belt to a standstill.
Mathunjwa has warned that members of his union will go on strike for a year if Impala Platinum carries out plans to cut up to 13 400 jobs.
Mathunjwa was addressing thousands of union members at a memorial event marking the sixth anniversary of the Marikana massacre when police shot dead 34 striking workers at Lonmin’s platinum mine.
Last week, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe lashed out at GoldFields’ plans to cut 1100 permanent jobs at its loss-making South Deep mine.
Earlier, Mathunjwa criticised the government for not taking full responsibility for the Marikana massacre.
“We demand that the 16 of August be declared a public holiday. This is the day where the government killed black people. We want this day to be Workers Day. So that it reminds all of us of our struggle.”