Issued by Mlondolozi Limaphi, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Western Cape Regional Secretary
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Western Cape Region and the South African Communist Party (SACP) embarked on a joint protest march to the offices of Eskom and the Department of Employment and Labour on Saturday, 8 November 2025.
This action was a direct and forceful offensive against key socio-economic issues impacting the working class and the poor.
The march specifically targeted the following:
- The Privatisation and Unbundling of Eskom: The NUM and SACP vehemently oppose the liberalisation of the energy sector, which they argue serves private capital at the expense of the working class and broader society.
- Wage Stagnation and Exploitation: Protesting the continued exploitation of workers,
- Punitive Electricity Tariff Hikes: Demanding an end to steep electricity tariff increases that disproportionately punish the poor and marginalised communities.
- Delayed Wage Agreements: Calling for an immediate end to the constant delays in the signing of crucial sectoral wage agreements by the Minister of Employment & Labour.
The march was led by NUM President, Phillip Vilakazi and SACP General Secretary, Solly Mapaila.