The ongoing labour dispute at Lonmin and spreading throughout the mining sector is being organised by an ANC faction with expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema acting as their front man, Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini said in a report on Thursday.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions leader told Business Day the unrest was the result of a “systematic, orchestrated, long-time plan” by this faction within the African National Congress.
This faction was hoping to force the ANC into “chaos” ahead of their elective conference this December in Mangaung to compel the party to remove Jacob Zuma from his position as African National Congress president.
“We also understand that there have been certain individuals behind him [Malema] who are funding this for their own political ambitions,” he told the paper.
“Julius Malema may be the point person running at the front but we know that there are big guns behind him.”
Malema has made himself a fixture amongst protesting miners throughout the sector since 34 Lonmin miners were shot a month ago.
He has been offering them support for their wage demands and calling on them to demand the resignation of political figures and the leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers, a Cosatu affiliate. – Sapa