MEDIA RELEASE
12 November 2024
SUMMARY: The leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), together with KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for COGTA and the traditional Prime Minister of the AmaZulu monarchy, met to address the looming closure of Zululand Anthracite Colliery(ZAC), owned by Menar Resources. With nearly 1,000 jobs on the line, AMCU is calling on both the MEC and Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, to intervene and halt the closure that threatens local livelihoods. AMCU President, Joseph Mathunjwa, affirmed the union’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights, commending the MEC’s support and pledging to pursue every legal avenue to keep the mine open.
Today, Tuesday, 12 November 2024, the President of AMCU and other leadership met with the MEC of COGTA, who is also the traditional Prime Minister of the AmaZulu monarchy, in Ulundi to discuss the situation regarding the closure of the Zululand Anthracite Colliery, owned by Menar Resources.
This meeting follows a series of other meetings held by AMCU national leadership with the four (4) traditional leaders (AmaKhosi) in whose areas the mine is situated, as well as the submission of a memorandum to the DMR Minister, Gwede Mantashe, which took place in Durban two weeks ago.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss rescuing the ZAC mine from closure and ensuring that the jobs of approximately 1,000 permanent ZAC employees and contractors are protected. It is important to note that Section 189A of the LRA is proceeding under the auspices of the CCMA. AMCU is also challenging this mine closure in the Labour Court.
The meeting with the MEC of COGTA in KwaZulu-Natal went very well, with both parties agreeing to work together to prevent job losses. The MEC of COGTA committed to fighting this mine closure through the Ingonyama Trust by facilitating a meeting with the DMR Minister, Gwede Mantashe, to object to Menar Resources’ decision to close the mine.
AMCU, on the other hand, has vowed to use all available legal recourse to defend against job losses. It is AMCU’s view that, should Menar Resources be unable to continue its mining operations at ZAC, the DMR Minister should revoke its mining licenses and grant them to the Ingonyama Trust, local AmaKhosi, their people, and the workers of ZAC.
“We cannot sit back and watch while one man, Vuslat, does as he pleases with the minerals that belong to the people,” said AMCU President JV Mathunjwa.
“We commend the MEC of COGTA in KZN, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, for availing himself when we requested a meeting to discuss this matter. His commitment to fighting for the vulnerable deserves appreciation. We hope and trust that our collaboration will yield positive outcomes,” Mathunjwa concluded.
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For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph