Debutant political party, the African Transformation Movement, has asked Energy Minister Jeff Radebe to lead an intervention - along with the Department of Labour and the Chamber of Mines - to assist with labour challenges faced by mineworkers at Sibanye-Stillwater.
One high-profile member of the ATM is Mzwanele Manyi, the former chair of Afrotone Media Holdings. Manyi currently serves as the ATM’s director of policy. Fin24 called Manyi, who confirmed that the statement was authentic.
The statement comes in the throes of a four-month-old wage strike by members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Sibanye-Stillwater has challenged the legality of the strike.
In a statement released on Monday, the ATM’s North West provincial structure said: "It puzzles us as the ATM North West that the stalemate is resulting into loss of lives, nine already, but none of the political principals seem to be caring."
It added: "We are informed that Organised Labour agreed to the CCMA’s proposed settlement agreement of R750 per employee as an increment, plus a R7 500 hardship, an offer which got rejected by AMCU.
"What’s worse is, there is a situation now where Sibanye-Stillwater is no longer interested in this proposed settlement agreement and that is causing more problems to the Gold Sector in this part of the country."
The ATM concluded the statement by calling for the nationalisation of mines and mineral resources, so that the state can dictate commodity trade and prices.
"We believe South Africa will be better off if we take full control of our economy, through ownership of resources, not only to beneficial, but to stop being price takers on commodities that we are uniquely endowed with," it said.
Fin24 previously reported that Sibanye Gold was selling over 100 million shares, a move that will bolster its balance sheet against the risk of an intensifying conflict with one of South Africa’s most militant labour unions.
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