“In support of the striking workers of the platinum belt who have been on the picket lines, the EFF will donate R50,000 to the strike fund,” Economic Freedom Fighters spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.
The fund was created to help platinum mineworkers who have been on a wage strike since January 23.
Amcu has donated R1 million to the fund’s account, which was opened in April. A total of R50,000 was donated by union officials and staff members.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa donated R10,000 to Amcu during his election campaign in Freedom Park, Rustenburg, on April 26.
“The EFF calls on all South Africans and the international community to also contribute in solidarity with workers,” said Ndlozi.
Amcu members at Lonmin, Impal has a Platinum, and Anglo American Platinum operations in Rustenburg, North West, and at Northam in Limpopo downed tools demanding a basic monthly salary of R12,500.
The strike has cost the companies about R14.4 billion in revenue and workers have lost over R6.4bn in earnings.
The R12,500 demand stems from a violent wildcat strike in Marikana, near Rustenburg, in August
2012, where Lonmin workers demanded R12,500 as a basic monthly salary.
Forty-four people were killed during the strike. Thirty-four people, almost all mineworkers, were killed on August 16, 2012, when police fired on them while allegedly trying to disarm and disperse them.
Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed during the preceding week.
President Jacob Zuma appointed retired judge Ian Farlam to chair a commission probing the 44 deaths.
Ndlozi said the EFF would continue to fight for the R12,500 salary.
“Not only is it affordable, it is the only way to restore the dignity of mineworkers that have been exploited over centuries,” he said.
“The EFF shall continue to fight for this wage in all its platforms until it is achieved.”
Meawhile, Dali Mpofu has turned-down the position for the Gauteng Legislature, representing EFF.
This was confirmed by the party.
Mpofu is a legal representative for the fallen miners at the Marikana Commission currently on at Centurion.
According to EFF media statement, Mpofu is still a committed and loyal member of the party.
