Johannesburg – The North West ANC has described the attack of a man on his way to a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) rally as “barbaric”.

“The African National Congress in the North West condemns with disdain the barbaric attack of Andrew Matlapeng Nkomo,” spokesperson Kenny Morolong said in a statement on Monday night.

“Nkomo was allegedly attacked by unidentified hooligans at Nkaneng informal settlement. We further refute reports that Nkomo has died. The ANC wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Morolong said Nkomo sustained serious injuries to his neck and head. He was discharged from hospital on Monday and was receiving treatment at home.

Leadership of the ANC in the province would visit Nkomo on Thursday, said Morolong. Nkomo is a member of the ANC from Segwela informal settlement. 

“The ANC is making a clarion call to all affected parties to desist from any acts of provocation, violence and intimidation and to respect the Marikana Peace Accord signed on the 25 February,” said Morolong.

On Sunday, NUM was trying to recruit new members after losing its majority union status to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.

The union has referred a dispute about the interpretation and implementation of its recognition agreement with the platinum mining company to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

Forty-four people were killed in Marikana last August during strike-related violence at Lonmin. Police shot 34 of them on 16 August. 

Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in the preceding week. 

SAPA