By Thapelo Molefe
The leadership crisis at the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has deepened, with rival factions accusing each other of attempting to take control of the union as protesting members demand the removal of its leadership.
The latest development comes after the union’s acting national office bearers accused suspended general secretary Irvin Jim and five other suspended office bearers of obstructing the organisation’s operations by allegedly denying the acting leadership access to its systems and resources.
In a statement on Friday, the acting leadership defended the suspension of the six office bearers, saying the decision was taken through the union’s constitutional structures.
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It said the office bearers were suspended on 5 November following decisions by a constitutionally convened National Executive Committee (NEC), which were subsequently confirmed by the Central Committee (CC).
The acting leadership further alleged that the suspended officials had blocked access to administrative systems and resources needed to convene four outstanding regional congresses and prepare for NUMSA’s 12th National Congress.
The accusations followed Jim’s appearance on SABC television on Thursday, during which he reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the Task Coordinating Team (TCT), which was appointed by the CC to coordinate the union’s operations.
The acting leadership, comprising acting president Andile Nqilingwane, acting national treasurer Xola Balfour, acting general secretary Silumko Nondwangu and acting deputy general secretary Karl Cloete, rejected allegations that the team was attempting to take control of the union’s financial resources for personal benefit.
“What Mr Jim describes as a ‘rogue grouping seeking to hijack NUMSA’ is, in fact, a Task Coordinating Team appointed by the constitutionally constituted Central Committee,” the statement said.
The acting leadership also dismissed a memorandum circulated by the suspended office bearers, which purported to suspend and expel elected regional leaders, saying the suspended officials no longer had the authority to overturn decisions taken at properly constituted regional congresses.
It further rejected the legitimacy of a Special National Executive Committee (SNEC) convened by the suspended office bearers, describing it as an attempt to establish parallel structures within the union.
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However, Jim and the suspended national office bearers have rejected the suspensions and the appointment of the acting leadership, insisting that they remain NUMSA’s legitimate leadership.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NUMSA, under Jim’s leadership, said the National Office Bearers elected at the union’s 11th National Congress remained in office and dismissed the establishment of the TCT as an attempted takeover.
The faction maintained that the Central Committee meeting allegedly held between 23 and 25 October had been cancelled by the National Office Bearers because of ongoing litigation and an application for leave to appeal to the Labour Appeal Court.
It said individuals who proceeded with the gathering had no authority to constitute it as a Central Committee meeting or adopt resolutions appointing an acting leadership.
Jim’s faction also announced that its Special National Executive Committee had resolved to dismiss or expel 12 office bearers and four employees accused of participating in what it described as unlawful actions against the union’s elected leadership.
The two factions have consequently issued competing claims over the legitimacy of their respective structures and decisions.
The dispute is now before the Gauteng High Court, where the acting leadership’s urgent application is scheduled to be heard on 17 November.
According to Wednesday’s statement issued by Jim, the application seeks, among other things, the transfer of control of NUMSA’s bank accounts, investments and administration to the acting leadership. His faction said it had opposed the application and was seeking an order preventing the applicants from claiming to represent the union.
Meanwhile, tensions have also spilled over to NUMSA’s head office, where members have staged a second protest against the current leadership, demanding its removal.
Security personnel were deployed at the headquarters as members demonstrated, with the latest protests adding to the uncertainty surrounding the union’s leadership and administration.
The acting leadership has called on members, shop stewards and regional leaders to respect the decisions of what it considers the union’s legitimate constitutional structures.
Jim’s faction, meanwhile, has urged members to reject what it describes as an attempted hostile takeover and to continue recognising the National Office Bearers elected at the 11th National Congress.
Both factions maintain that they are acting in the interests of NUMSA members, while the court proceedings are expected to address the competing claims over the union’s leadership and control of its resources.
