Numsa spokesperson resigns after receiving death threats

Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola resigns after receiving threats. Picture: Jacques Nelles As National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola resigns amid alleged serious threats to her safety, the union has condemned the intimidation and vows a thorough investigation. The union announced Hlubi-Majola’s resignation in a statement on Tuesday afternoon after the news reportedly leaked to the media over the weekend.

“The cat is out of the bag, as the details of her resignation were unfortunately leaked to one media house,” Numsa said. The union said that on Tuesday, 27 January, Hlubi-Majola was supposed to join Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim in parliament in Cape Town. Jim was going to make a Numsa presentation to the Parliamentary Committee of Trade, Industry and Competition on the implementation of the South African Automotive Master Plan with stakeholders.

However, before she was about to leave her hotel, Hlubi-Majola received a message from an unknown number. The messenger allegedly warned the spokesperson to be careful because people are following her, know her movements, and are paid to kill her. “She then sent a message to the Numsa general secretary, stating that she would no longer join him in parliament, had already booked a return flight, and would be leaving Cape Town,” the union said.

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Numsa said Jim asked Hlubi-Majola what happened and for the number of the person who had sent the threatening message to her. She responded to him later that day and apologised for not responding because she was on a flight returning to Johannesburg. She then forwarded a screenshot of the message from the unknown person.

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