THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has confirmed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) took a collective decision to suspend its general secretary, William Mabapa, during its regular meeting on 26 and 27 July.
According to the union, this was because of internal matters that were being investigated.
NUM president Dan Balepile said that at the recent special meeting of the NEC, he expressed concern about an article reporting that the current power play was largely orchestrated by NUM deputy general secretary Mpho Phakedi who, together with his allies, is trying to replace Mabapa.
He said the decision to suspend Mabapa was taken collectively by the NUM NEC, not by any faction or individual.
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"We note that sponsored malicious agencies represented by different individuals seek to present a fake vacuum to craft a crisis and generate despair. They do so by casting aspersions on the leadership of NUM, including singling out individuals," said Balepile
He went on to say that NUM saw this as a deliberate attack on the wisdom of collective decision-making and the leadership of the union.
Balepile said the NEC was also disturbed by media reports that the general secretary had been suspended because there were people who wanted to loot the union's money.
"The NUM leadership rejects this as desperate propaganda. The MIC, which is the Mining Investment Company, remains an independent entity governed by the Companies Act.
"It has an independent board constituted of professionals with reputable integrity and record. This disallows any form of interference in the affairs of the entity," Balepile said.
He said that this entity is responsible for funding the JB Marks Education Fund, engineered to support the tertiary education of members' children across mining, energy, construction and metal sector.
"We are therefore more than committed to ensuring its sustenance."
