The National Union of Mineworkers NUM says it will support any organisation that prioritises its mission to protect workers' rights over political loyalty.
The union has dismissed claims that it has abandoned the ANC ahead of the 2026 municipal elections, describing such reports as misleading. It reaffirmed its commitment to the tripartite alliance.
NUM's position comes after the South African Communist Party SACP resolved to contest all municipalities independently of the ANC.
NUM National Spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, says members are free to vote for any party of their choice.
"We cannot divide our members, otherwise we were going to be in serious trouble if we had taken a decision to support one of the two. The most important thing was to unite NUM members. And NUM members said that whoever can support them in challenges that they are facing, like the retrenchment, the issues of health and safety, the issues of skills development in sectors that they are organising, they will be able to support such a party," Mammburu says.
