NUM: wildcat strikes politically motivated, sustained through violence

NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said that all involved are aware of the consequences of the strikes - "workers are losing salaries, jobs may potentially be lost and the economy could be in trouble." NUM has therefore spent more than R1m "to convey a message and to get people to understand the risk they're putting themselves and the country in," Baleni added that, under the circumstances, "it is money well spent."

Baleni said that strikes are sustained through violence means - "if it wasn't for the violence then it would have already been over," he said, adding that there are political gains to be made out of the striking workers, as the African National Congress' electoral conference is to take place in Mangaung in December. Strikers have often disassociated themselves from the NUM, opting for worker committees to present their demands, BDlive says.

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