/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will be opening a case of police brutality with police watchdog the Independent Investigative Directorate (IPID). This was after a member of the community in Boipatong, was shot at point blank range, with rubber bullets, by the SAPS while he was in the toilet on Thursday. Our members visited the injured worker in hospital. The damage done is extensive. He is now forced to urinate through a pipe.

ArcelorMittal is the largest steel producer on the African continent. The company supplies over 61% of the steel used in South Africa and exports the rest to sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere.

It is our firm belief that the SAPS are acting in collusion with the management of ArcelorMittal management, and they have unleashed a reign of terror on striking workers and the surrounding community of Boipatong, in Sedibeng. Since Wednesday police have been shooting at the community, they have also been raiding and randomly arresting people, for participating in community protests. The community of Boipatong has been protesting against the fact they have been without electricity for three weeks. Whilst at the same time our members have been on strike against ArcelorMittal because it abuses contract workers, and, workers are forced to work in an unsafe working environment. ArcelorMittal is extremely hostile to workers and the community at large. It is intolerant towards protest action. It cares only about profits, and it has no regard for human lives.

Police have been unrelenting and they have been consistently raiding, shooting and harassing the community for daring to protest against their conditions. We condemn the actions of the SAPS and ArcelorMittal. Both entities have abused their power and are harassing members of the working class. Last week several of our shopstewards were rounded up and arrested by police, after they received instructions from the management of ArcelorMittal. They were locked up for four days on trumped up charges, which were later dismissed by the magistrate.

ArcelorMittal refuses to engage meaningfully with the demands we have placed on the table. Contract workers must be absorbed permanently into the workforce. There is no justification for the company to exploit them in this way. What is even more shameful, is that the contract company, Real Tree trading, which provides most of the workforce to the steel giant is actually owned by ArcelorMittal. This is the kind of corruption which we despise as NUMSA and it is the reason that our members are continuing their strike. We met under the auspices of the CCMA yesterday, however talks broke down and we were unable to find one another, because the company wants to be able to continue its rampant exploitation.
 
We will continue to offer support to the worker and his family during this difficult time. Meanwhile we will intensify the strike at ArcelorMittal. We call on all workers to ensure a total shut down of this company. They do not deserve to make profits when they are the invisible hand directing the brutality of the SAPS. We will be requesting our global union federation IndustriAll to launch an international boycott campaign to denounce ArcelorMittal globally and expose their violence towards the working class. The world must know that all their claims of decent work and a decent work environment are false. They must be exposed for the cruel employers that they really are.
 
We salute all workers at ArcelorMittal and the community at large. In times like this the unity of the working class is needed in defeating a racist, cruel Capitalist bully like ArcelorMittal and its management. We are inspired by the bravery and courage displayed by the community. Only a united working class can overthrow tyranny. We have no doubt that the working class will defeat this brutal enemy of the people.
 
Aluta continua!
The Struggle continues!

Issued by NUMSA