27 June 2022
Abahlali baseMjondolo press statement
Abahlali baseMjondolo condemns the killing of NUMSA shop steward Mahlomola Hlothoane
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa is the largest union in the country, with more than 300 000 members. The union is in continual struggles and has won major battles for the working class. It is independent of the ANC.
The union faces the same onslaught that is being directed against all progressive mass based organisations. It has become a norm for those who stand against the ANC, capitalism and exploitation to be attacked and assassinated with impunity.
On Friday night Mahlomola Hlothoane was murdered at his home in Rustenburg on the platinum belt. Last year Malibongwe Mdazo, a Numsa official, was murdered in Rustenburg in similar circumstances. Mdazo and Hlothoane were both organising workers at Implats, where many workers are leaving other unions to join NUMSA.
The continuous killing of local leaders in the workers’ struggle is condemned by our movement and we call for the speedy investigation of this killing so that those who have committed this crime are brought to book. We note that there have been no arrests for the murder of Mdazo.
When we have faced repression, including assassinations, NUMSA is the only union that has been in solidarity with us. Some other union leaders only contact us when they want us to swell support for their marches with our numbers but don’t even send a message of support when we face repression.
NUMSA is rooted to issues of the people on the ground. It has refused to be captured by the ruling party or capitalists. It’s shop stewards do not sell out to the employers.
We express our condolences to the families of Mdazo and Hlothoane and our solidarity with their comrades.
The politic of blood is no longer just a problem in KwaZulu-Natal. It is a national problem and a national crisis and we call for the broadest possible alliance against political repression in general and assassinations in particular.
We also express our solidarity with PUDEMO in Swaziland, who recently lost comrade Mzamo Sikhondize, the Deputy Secretary of PUDEMO. Lindokuhle Mnguni and Landu Tshazi represented our movement at the funeral.
Contacts:
Thapelo Mohapi 084 576 5117
Mqapheli Bonono 073 067 3274