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Chamber of Mines backs Cosatu as 'SA deserves better'

Cape Town – The Chamber of Mines has become the second business formation to voice its support for Trade Union Federation Cosatu’s protests against state capture and corruption.

In a statement issued early on Wednesday, the Chamber threw its weight behind Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) in support of Cosatu’s country-wide marches which was due to start at 10:00 on Wednesday.

Cosatu said it expects hundreds of thousands of workers to take part in protests against corruption and state capture in 13 cities around South Africa.

In an unprecedented move, business organisations BUSA and BLSA on Tuesday sided with Cosatu’s planned marches, saying that it was extraordinary times, which called for extraordinary action.

The Chamber of Mines said on Wednesday the future of South Africa and its people continues to be jeopardised by the effects of state capture and corruption. “The future of our very own mining industry is at risk,” the statement read.

“There are many committed and hard-working individuals within government and in the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), who like us, believe that South Africans deserve better: That South Africans have earned the right to a meaningful future, a future where every citizen has the opportunity to prosper, not only the well-connected few.”

In the statement, the Chamber said the “unilaterally developed Mining Charter” introduced by Mines Minister Mosebenzi Zwane carries “strong indications of corrupt motives”.

“It is clearly intended to benefit a select few at the expense of the whole country, is not in the national interest and demonstrates disregard for ethical leadership and the absence of concern for the wellbeing of the industry and its stakeholders.”

Zwane introduced the third revised Mining Charter in June this year, much to the dismay of the mining sector, mining lawyers and analysts who warned that it could mean the death-knell for the already ailing minerals sector.

The Chamber of Mines applied for an urgent court interdict days later, but withdrew it on September 13 after Zwane’s lawyers had promised the Chamber that the minister would not implement the Charter before an upcoming court case in mid-December. 

In its statement, the Chamber said it has lost confidence in Zwane’s leadership.

“Serious allegations of corruption against the Minister and the Department of Mineral Resources under his leadership have not been cleared. These allegations must be addressed and the proposed judicial commission of inquiry into state capture must be established and allowed to carry out its work without interference.” 

Cosatu branded today's march the "largest protest in post-apartheid South Africa" that would serve to send a message to both government and private sector that, as workers and citizens, South Africans are tired of corruption. 

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