NUM calls for heads to roll in reported construction corruption

By Khanyisa Tabata
02 February 2011

The National Union of Mineworkers says it has noted the reports of the findings by the Competition Commission into the workings of construction companies.

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka says they are worried about these findings and are calling on the Competition Commission to tighten its hand and not be lenient to its approach.

“We cannot accept a situation in which the Competition Commission becomes lenient for construction companies that had milked the state and impoverished millions of South Africans.

“We just cannot allow any leniency for companies that stole from the very same workers who contributed tax from the same poverty wages,” said Seshoka.

This is after the Competition Commission revealed this week that five of South Africa’s listed companies have been implicated in anti-competitive practices during the Competition Commission’s probe into 65 bid-rigging cases in the sector involving more than 70 projects valued at R29 billion.

Seshoka added that if these reports are true, are tantamount to corruption of the highest level and to stealing from the poorest of the poor.

“The NUM will mount a campaign to oppose any leniency. Many workers were employed by these construction companies and were paid poverty wages and refused re-employment when 2010 projects came to an end,” said Seshoka.