TNMC suspends union leader

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday June 14, 2013 00:00

The unionist works for the company as a boilermaker foreman at its Phoenix mine. Mpule is said to have flouted procedure that led to the burning down of a plant at the mine. No one was injured in the incident. Contacted for comment yesterday, Mpule confirmed that he has been suspended from work, following an outbreak of fire at the plant last week.

'I can't really say why I have been suspended from duty. As a foreman at the plant, I am the one who directs people to work,' he said.He is hopeful that things would become clear after he gets the charge sheet.TNMC head of capability development, Luzibo Kuswani declined to shed more light on the matter saying: 'This is an internal matter and I am not at liberty to divulge any information about it as otherwise it would amount to a violation of employer-employee relations'.

Meanwhile, Happy Bashe, BMWU national organising chairperson said yesterday they are not happy with the suspension. 'Mpule has been suspended from work. But, we are not happy with the way his matter is being handled,' she complained.She said the mine has flagrantly ignored procedure in suspending Mpule. She said by yesterday, the unionist had not been formally charged.'We consider his suspension to be unprocedural and unfair. We are saying, the disciplinary procedure at Tati Nickel Mine has not been followed to the letter,' argues Bashe.

She stated that since Mpule is a foreman at the section, he should not be locked out because he cannot interfere with investigations.'We have written to the mine stating our discomfort at the way things are being done. We are even going to stay away from the inquiry itself as we can now read malice in the way things are being done,' explained Bashe. By yesterday, Bashe and her BMWU team were still awaiting a response from the mine management.