21 October 2012

Their failure to negotiate and engage with the mine workers strike committees is at the root of the present conflict. Instead they play divide and rule by selective engagement with union officials that no longer represent those on strike. Their response is of kragdadigheid and arrogance.

Like in the past they dismiss workers and turn to the state's repressive arm to crush the workers. The tactic of the chamber is to take advantage of the strike to bring about devious and cost effective restructuring retrenchments. This is how they have operated over the last 120 years of racist mining operations in South Africa. Benefits from the recent commodity boom and fat cat managerial salaries all provide evidence of a mining industry based on super-exploitation of workers. This is why they are faced by strikes and worker anger and this is why we as the DLF support the striking workers.

We support efforts to establish a collective bargaining chamber for the platinum sector. This must set minimum standards which plant level bargaining can improve. Power to improve the conditions of workers at each mine and shaft should never be taken out of the control of workers again. Out of touch and privileged labour officials standing on the shoulders of workers must be rejected.

Media reports on the role of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) as leading the strikes is sensationalist. The DSM like all socialist and anti-capitalist formations has been responding to the needs of the striking workers. The DSM is an independent socialist organisation and from time-to-time engaged with the DLF in the context of worker struggles. We reject the smear on the DSM as having been responsible for the killing of any workers. It is an outrage.

The DLF'S approach to the strike wave is guided by the following: (i) support for the legitimate demands of mine workers for a living wage of R12 500 and equal pay for equal work; (ii) the legitimacy of the strike committees that have led the strike; and (iii) the right to freedom of association, speech and to belong to a union and or organisation of choice.

As the DLF we have not attempted to lead the strike but to give support. We have not made the call for workers to form a Workers Party. The DLF is not a vanguard organisation and neither is it a political party. It is a point of convergence of anti-capitalist forces committed to socialism, democracy, social justice and equality; it is a democratic grass roots anti-capitalist movement supporting the strike committees in the mining industry. We seek to build working class unity and link workplace and community struggles for an alternative eco-socialist South Africa.

We condemn in the strongest terms the stoning of Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi’s car on Friday at the Vaal Reefs Number 1 shaft. We equally condemn the labelling of the strikers and their strike committees as counter-revolutionary. This can lead to violence and must be withdrawn! We are aware Comrade Vavi would like to address the Coordinating Committee of the strike committees and we believe this is urgent to bring about unity of all mineworkers. We support such an engagement and will endeavour to ensure such a dialogue happens particularly to advance the interests of the striking workers and to take forward the struggle for a living wage in South Africa. The DLF also supports COSATU’s call for a commission of enquiry into the conditions in the mining sector.

At the same time, we also believe that legitimate representatives of the strike coordinating committee have the right to speak to workers and should not be condemned, prohibited or intimidated to carry out their mandates, in an increasingly volatile and dangerous situation. In this context we feel the President of COSATU’s call to the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) to play a role in the mining sector is irresponsible, dangerous and bordering on incitement to violence on behalf of the state and the bosses.

We condemn all violence among workers. The deaths of NUM shopstewards and leaders in the midst of the mining strike is unacceptable as are the killings of striking workers allegedly by NUM officials.

We call on the SAPS to play their role in a manner that respects the role of the Marikana Commission of Enquiry and the constitutional rights of suspects. In this regard we condemn the arrest of the Marikana strike committee leaders recently on charges of murder. These leaders like NUM need to be given the same rights to present, be heard and subject to scrutiny by the Judge Farlam-led Marikana Commission of Enquiry. We will alert the Commission about this situation. The SAPS must not harass and intimidate worker and community leaders in Marikana. The state and the mine bosses must guarantee the people of Marikana and all workers in the mining industry their democratic rights without the fear of violence, intimidation, victimisation and suppression.

Forward to a Living Wage for All! Forward to Working Class Unity!

FOR COMMENTS, CONTACT:

Ayanda Kota - 078 625 6462

Mathews Hlabane – 0827079860

Brian Ashley – 082 085 7088

Vishwas Satgar - 082 775 3420