Johannesburg – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) on Monday announced its Special Central Committee (SCC) meeting resolved to expel Ruth Ntlokotse, the union’s former 2nd deputy president.
Ntlokotse had appealed the decision of the NEC to confirm her expulsion from NUMSA after she was found guilty on three counts of misconduct, at an earlier disciplinary hearing.
The hearing was chaired by an independent chairperson, Charlie Higgs.
“Unfortunately comrade Ruth failed to show up for her disciplinary hearing and the hearing proceeded without her,” NUMSA explained.
The SCC meeting that confirmed Ntlokotse’s expulsion from NUMSA was held on 7 July 2023.
“The decision to proceed was taken by the chairperson, who felt that Ruth failed to set out any compelling reasons justifying why the hearing should be postponed,” NUMSA said.
The chair subsequently found her guilty on all counts of misconduct and ruled that Ntlokotse must be “summarily expelled” from NUMSA.
The independent chairperson gave various reasons justifying why Ntlokotse should be expelled:
In relation to the charge of refusing to return union property, the independent chair found that Ntlokotse disobeyed a “reasonable request” given that she had not been re-elected as a national office bearer at the last congress.
“The reasonableness of the request is, in fact, beyond reproach,” the chair said.
Ntlokotse’s claim that she is automatically entitled to these benefits because she is a former national office bearer was found to be false.
“The NEC is the only body with the discretionary powers to allow former NOB’s to continue to enjoy these benefits after their term ends,” the chair said.
“She failed to demonstrate that the manner in which they applied the discretion was arbitrary and unfair.”
The chair also found that the relationship between the parties was unlikely to be restored, “especially given the fact that the member continues to undermine the union’s authority”.
The other charges that Ntlokotse faced included:
- Failure to comply with the constitutional duties as a member and national office bearer of the union by violating the principle of democratic centralism, and undermining organisational discipline;
- Failure to comply with the constitutional duties as a member and national office bearer of the union by standing for a position within the South African Federation of Trade Unions leadership, against the union mandate, and sowing dissent and division in the union.
However, after Ntlokotse presented all her arguments, the SCC unanimously resolved to uphold her expulsion.
“She therefore remains expelled from the union and the matter is now closed,” explained Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary.
“The office of the General Secretary of NUMSA has communicated that decision to her.”
