Mine union leader gets death threats over worker rights

What is happening?

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says its branch chairperson at Impala Platinum's Triple M 1 Shaft in North West is getting death threats. The threats come as the union tries to get the right to represent workers at the mine.

Three people were arrested in June. They had unlicensed guns and a stolen car. They are accused of stalking the union leader.

Why does this matter?

Workers in South Africa have the right to choose which union to join. The NUM says these threats are an attack on workers' rights. The union says such actions hurt peace and democracy at work.

The NUM says it has enough members to represent workers at Impala, but the company is making it hard. The main union at the mine is now the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.

What does the union say?

William Shiko from NUM Rustenburg says workers should be free to choose a union without fear. He says violence and intimidation have no place in labour relations.

This article was originally published on TimesLIVE.