Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, the long-serving and outspoken spokesperson for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), has resigned after receiving multiple death threats. The revelation has sent ripples through the labour movement, as her departure illuminates the growing concerns surrounding safety and the increasing risks that union officials face in South Africa. In her resignation letter, she detailed that this was the third threat made against her life.
The latest warning came on Saturday while she was travelling to Cape Town. She received a chilling call informing her that individuals had been dispatched to assassinate her and that her movements were being monitored. Such alarming news has raised serious questions about the security of activists pushing back against entrenched powers.
With Numsa’s National hhe Congress approaching later this year, Hlubi-Majola expressed concern that tensions and security risks are likely to intensify. She stated that she can no longer expose herself or her family to further danger. Before joining Numsa, she honed her skills as a journalist, covering pivotal issues that affect everyday South Africans.
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Her role within the union began in 2019, quickly making her a prominent figure in media briefings, protests, and public debates. Over the years, she voiced concerns over critical issues such as the fight against the privatisation of public services—a stance she argues poses a significant threat to jobs and the right to basic services.
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