The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has condemned the murder of its shopsteward at Implats in Rustenburg, North West.
Mahlomola Hlothoane was shot and killed on Friday evening at his residence in Rustenburg by two unknown gunmen, in keeping with Numsa normal secretary Irvin Jim.
“Comrade Mahlomola was a Numsa shopsteward who assisted the union by coordinating recruitment and mobilising staff at Implats.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened as a trade union that we have lost a leader who was dedicated to the struggle of workers,” Jim mentioned in a statement on Sunday.
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Numsa despatched its condolences to Hlothoane’s household, saying his murder was the second official of the union who was murdered for allegedly organising staff at Implats.
“Last year we buried comrade Malibongwe Mdazo who was assassinated in a similar fashion. His killers have not been found.”
Numsa demanded that the South African Police Service urgently discover and arrest those that are liable for the murders.
“It is unacceptable that persons are dying merely for exercising their constitutional proper to affix a union of their selection.
“We demand justice for these murders and we demand that the police must ensure that the community of Rustenburg, particularly in the immediate surrounding area of Implats is safe for all who live there.”
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