The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has noted with serious concern and shock Angloplatinum's decision to close four shafts and lay off as much as 14 000 workers. The NUM has repeatedly called upon workers to unite in order to defeat the evil nature of capitalism which seeks to put profits first and humanity last.

"We continue to make that appeal for workers to reject divisions and stay united to defend jobs. The proponents of divisions are now nowhere to be found when Mineworkers are losing their jobs" says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary.

The NUM will engage the company in a bid to safe these jobs and appeals on workers to work together to safeguard their own jobs.

The NUM further appeals to all workers to rally behind COSATU's call to oppose ESKOM 's application for a tariff increase. The tariff increase if granted will have disastrous effects on jobs and the economy at large. It will have very negative effect on working class families in particular who by and large no longer afford electricity.