Johannesburg – The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Monday condemned the intimidation of a National Union of Mineworkers member during an inspection in Marikana by the Farlam Commission of Inquiry.

When the woman arrived in Marikana, dressed in a red NUM T-shirt, miners affiliated to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) shouted obscenities at her.

She took cover among police officers. Cosatu identified her as Helen Diatile. The NUM is a Cosatu affiliate.

“Cosatu strongly condemns this action which could have escalated into an even more serious incident, and appeals for tolerance among workers,” Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said in a statement.

“The only people who can benefit from violent confrontations between workers are their employers, who will always seek to exploit such divisions,” he said.

The NUM security team and police escorted Diatile and NUM spokesperson Luphert Chilwane, who was accompanying her, out of Marikana.

“They both opened a case of intimidation at the Marikana police station,” Craven said.

The commission’s inspection was attended by lawyers, Lonmin mineworkers, the widows of slain miners, and journalists.

Commission chairperson, retired Judge Ian Farlam, called the miners to order.

“I am in charge of this inquiry and this is a public place. Everyone is free to wear what they want. You have your Amcu T-shirts on,” he said.

Farlam said he had been informed that a police witness, scheduled to point out some spots, felt intimidated afterwards.

“It will be remembered that when it was drawn to my attention that the NUM representative was being told to leave, I spoke out very strongly about it.

“Despite what I said, the intimidation continued. Thank you very much, the proceedings are terminated,” said Farlam.

The commission is investigating the 44 deaths relating to a 2012 strike in Marikana.

SAPA