NUM members at Venetia want GM to resign over retrenchment notices

Members of labour union, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) are calling for the resignation of Venetia diamond mine’s general manager Ntokozo Ngema.

The call was made during a march to the mine’s operations in All Days, outside Musina in Limpopo.

The mine has served over 1 000 workers with notices of retrenchments.

A number of off-duty workers were joined by NUM members from various regions across the province in protest against the impending retrenchments.

The mine has cited a dip in diamond prices and competition from synthetic diamond as t he reasons for its decision to pause production.

However, NUM regional organizer Emmanuel Mohale believes the mine’s decision is as a result of austerity measures.

“The reason why we are saying that this manager must go.

This manager has failed this mine, dismally so.

There is R13.6 billion which the mine has lost under his auspices, under his supervision.

Since he has came here, there was a lot of retrenchment which has happened, with inclusive of the contractors.

You can look on the Murray and Robert, we lost 1 500 under his management.

Again, with the employees of the mine, last year we lost 185.

And he’s unable to tell us where did this R13.6 billion went to.”