By Johnathan Paoli
In the aftermath of Stilfontein, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action’s (Macua) mission to uphold the rights of communities impacted by mining activities.
Saftu general secretary told the Mining Affected Communities Summit in Johannesburg that there was a against exploitation and environmental injustices perpetuated by profit-driven mining corporations, who often left behind devastated communities and degraded environments.
“Macua’s steadfast fight for the recognition of community voices, equitable resource distribution, and environmental justice resonates deeply with Saftu’s own commitment to building a society founded on social justice, workers’ rights and economic democracy,” Vavi said.
Highlighting the natural alliance between Saftu and Macua, Vavi emphasised their mutual opposition to xenophobia and the scapegoating of migrant workers.
He condemned the tendency to blame migrant communities for systemic issues stemming from capitalist crises and governmental inefficiencies, identifying the true culprits as corporations and profit-oriented government policies.
Both organisations advocate for the nationalisation of South Africa’s mineral wealth, aligning with the economic demands of the Freedom Charter to ensure that resources benefit the broader population.
Vavi also called for the regulation and formalisation of informal mining, proposing that the industry be placed in the hands of communities and the working class.
This approach aimed to protect the livelihoods of artisanal miners and reduce sector-related tragedies.
He criticised the Mineral Resources and Energy Department for failing to implement legislative protections, resulting in workers being misled into dangerous, unregulated mining conditions.
Addressing the recent tragedy in Stilfontein, Vavi accused the state of committing a second massacre, following the Marikana incident, by delaying the rescue of trapped miners for nearly two months.
The rescue operation only proceeded after videos surfaced showing bodies accumulating and reports emerged of miners resorting to extreme measures due to starvation.
He detailed the state’s awareness of the miners’ entrapment conditions and condemned the police’s false narratives about possible escape routes.
Saftu rejected the government’s claims that the miners committed mass suicide and criticised ministers for perpetuating false narratives to cover up state culpability.
Vavi insisted that the state committed mass murder and was deflecting blame onto migrant miners to mask its failures.
While Saftu and Macua condemned criminal acts by undocumented migrants, they rejected the dangerous generalisation that all deceased miners were criminals.
Vavi called for a full commission of inquiry into the deaths of over 80 artisanal miners to uncover the truth about the state’s role and ensure accountability.
He emphasised that demanding constitutional rights, such as the right to life and dignity was not equivalent to defending criminality.
Vavi reaffirmed Saftu’s support for Macua and expressed hope that the Congress would strengthen the resolve for justice, dignity and true liberation.
In an interview with Inside Politics, Macua executive director Christopher Rutledge expressed support for Vavi’s call for an inquiry.
“Macua has called for and supports the various calls made by others such as Saftu for a judicial commission of inquiry into the massacre at Stilfontein,” Rutledge said.
He added that Macua was exploring other avenues to hold those responsible accountable, including laying criminal charges of murder and pursuing constitutional damages via the civil courts.
“We are working towards building new coalitions of the working class, which will combine the economic power and leverage of unions with the community mobilisation of social movements in which the marginalised and excluded sectors of society are united in working towards a more just socio-economic system,” he said.
Rutledge also highlighted the potential for collaboration between labour federations like Saftu and community organisations like Macua.
He said the federation’s commitment to social justice, workers’ rights and economic democracy aligned with Macua’s fight for community recognition, equitable resource distribution and environmental justice.
INSIDE POLITICS
