The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) places on record the protracted and frustrating history of bad faith that has compelled workers at Impala Platinum Triple M to embark on protected strike action, that commenced early hours of Friday, 24 April 2026 in Rustenburg..
A History of Obstruction The road to this strike began in May 2025, when a dispute regarding organizational rights was conciliated at the CCMA. Despite a direct order to verify membership, the process was deliberately frustrated for four months—a calculated delay that served only to deny workers their lawful rights.
Faced with continued obstruction, NUM returned to the CCMA in October 2025 to request physical facilitation of the verification. The results, finalized in February 2026, were definitive: NUM has exceeded the 40% threshold required for formal recognition.
The Failure of Good Faith Despite this clear mandate, Triple M management continues to hide behind a frivolous and legally flawed interpretation of a “closed shop” agreement. NUM has acted with unparalleled good faith, invoking Section 26 of the Labor Relations Act, submitting petitions, and requesting a lawful ballot process. Every democratic effort has been met with employer silence.
Having exhausted every legal avenue, NUM referred a Section 64 dispute to the CCMA. On 23 April 2026, the Commission granted picketing rules in favor of NUM. Consequently, workers officially commenced protected strike action in the early hours of this morning.
The “Brotherhood Syndrome” NUM is deeply disturbed by an emerging “brotherhood syndrome” involving the main employer, Impala Platinum. It appears contractors are being actively discouraged from recognizing NUM—a collusion that fundamentally undermines the Constitutional right to freedom of association.
A Moral Boundary Crossed Most egregious is the treatment of workers in the wake of tragedy. We have been informed of instances where contract workers lose their lives, yet service providers are allegedly blocked from independently arranging transport or funerals, with bereaved families directed through the structures of a rival union.
NUM states unequivocally: Death must never be unionized, politicized, or used as a tool for division. Dignity in grief is a human right, not a bargaining chip.
Our Call to Action NUM calls upon Triple M, Impala Platinum, and all relevant stakeholders to:
- Respect the Labor Relations Act and the democratic choices of the workforce.
- Immediately grant NUM the organizational rights it has lawfully earned through verified membership.
- Cease the delay tactics that have come to define this dispute.
The era of suppressing workers’ voices through administrative attrition must end. We remain resolute in our defense of our members.
Issued by NUM