News24 reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) general secretary David Sipunzi has died.  

In a statement, the NUM said that Sipunzi died at around 11:00 on Friday and that the cause of his death was presently unknown.  NUM deputy general secretary William Mabapa advised that Sipunzi's family had confirmed his death to the trade union.  "Comrade Sipunzi dedicated his entire life to the service of the mine, construction and energy workers in South Africa until his untimely death.  He was a firm believer in the rights of the downtrodden and the voice of the voiceless," the NUM stated.  Sipunzi started in the mining industry in 1985, the same year he joined the NUM.  He quickly rose up the ranks and was elected NUM Free State regional secretary in 1999 and then NUM general secretary in 2015.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lwandile Bhengu at News24

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