Num slams attack on branch chair

Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) condemned on Sunday the attack on its Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] (Amplats) Khomanani branch chair.

"The Num condemns the attack and the continuous threats and intimidation on its members around the platinum belt," said spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka in a statement.

"The union calls on the police to investigate the existence of what is reported to be a hit squad in the area targeting mainly the Num shop stewards and branch leaders."

The chairperson was critically injured after his home was petrol-bombed in Rustenburg on Friday evening, the union said.

Police officials earlier on Sunday could not immediately confirm the incident.

Workers at Amplats' Rustenburg operations went on a wildcat strike two weeks ago, demanding a R16 000 salary before deductions.

The company began disciplinary procedures against workers still on strike on Thursday.

Amplats is among a number of mining companies in that region trying to navigate dissent over salaries, and the apparent rejection by workers of established union and industrial relations procedures relating to grievances.

Forty-five people died in violence associated with an unprotected strike at nearby Lonmin [JSE:LON] over the six weeks it took for that strike to end.