NUM leader suspended amid investigation

The National Union of Mineworkers suspended William Mabapa, its general secretary, amid reports of growing infighting within the organisation.

“The NUM general secretary was suspended over internal matters that are under investigation,” NUM spokesman Livhuwani Mammburu said by phone on Thursday. He declined to comment on the reason for the suspension.

The labour union accused Mabapa of mismanaging funds and an investigation is underway, the Johannesburg-based Financial Mail reported, citing a document adopted by the labour group’s top management structure. Supporters of Mabapa within the union described the charges as absurd and frivolous, the FM said.

Calls to Mabapa’s mobile phone didn’t connect when Bloomberg called seeking comment.

The NUM is one of the biggest labour groups in South Africa’s mining industry and represents the most workers of any union at state-owned power utility Eskom. The labour group has been plagued by internal disputes, the FM said, citing people it didn’t identify.