The Star writes that the Marikana community in North West is living in fear after two leaders linked to alleged union corruption were assassinated.  

Zingisa Mzendana, who was among 28 people that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) recently fired, was gunned down on Thursday morning at a car-wash.  He had been Amcu’s 4 Shaft branch secretary and a Lonmin engineering assistant before the union expelled him and 27 others last month, for bringing the union into disrepute.  This was after they exposed alleged corruption committed by Amcu’s shop steward Malibongwe Mdazo, who was killed in Mooinooi two weeks ago.  Mzendana had uncovered the alleged corruption by illegally gaining access to Mdazo’s work e-mails at Lonmin, where they were employed.  The company fired him in June and he allegedly rejoined the rival National Union of Mineworkers.  No one has yet been arrested.  The expulsions and the killings have created uneasiness, fear and divisions among Amcu members in Marikana, with many refusing to speak out, fearing victimisation.  One of the expelled members stated:  “Amcu is now divided between people opposing corruption, who were also behind Mzendana, and those at head office who supported Mdazo.  This has created a splinter group.  Amcu’s leadership is aware of this, but they seem to have chosen Mdazo’s side in the matter.”

• Read this report by Lindile Sifile in full at IOL News
• See too, Another Marikana miner killed in Amcu-NUM battle, at The New Age

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page