NUMSA Takes Steel Crisis to Sandton Streets as Workers Demand New Buyer for SA Steel Mills

On a hot Tuesday morning in Sandton, the anger of South Africa’s steelworkers spilled onto the pavement outside the Industrial Development Corporation headquarters. Dressed in union colours and holding placards, members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa sent a clear message. They believe time is running out for SA Steel Mills, and the decisions being taken now could determine whether hundreds of families still have an income next year.

The picket on 9 December was not a symbolic gesture. For many workers, it was about survival.

A Struggle That Has Dragged On

SA Steel Mills is currently under business rescue, a process meant to stabilise struggling companies and protect jobs where possible. Instead, NUMSA says uncertainty has deepened, especially for workers linked to ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Newcastle and Vereeniging operations.

For communities built around steel plants, this is not just a corporate story. In places like Newcastle, the local economy depends heavily on factories staying open. When steel slows down, everything from taxi routes to spaza shops feels the impact.

Why Workers Are Targeting the IDC

NUMSA chose to protest outside the IDC because the state-owned development financier plays a key role in shaping the future of strategic industries like steel. During the picket, union representatives handed over a memorandum calling for urgent financial support to protect workers and a rethink of who should be allowed to take over SA Steel Mills.

NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said this was already the union’s third picket over the matter, showing growing frustration.

According to the union, the business rescue process appears skewed toward one bidder, Alfeco. NUMSA wants the IDC to reject that bid and instead back the second bidder, Pro RM.

The Alternative NUMSA Is Pushing For

What sets Pro RM apart, according to the union, is its promise of recovery rather than downsizing. NUMSA claims the proposal includes a turnaround plan that could restore operations within 12 months and create more than 800 new jobs.

In a country battling stubborn unemployment and regular factory closures, that promise has resonated strongly with workers.

“We cannot afford another hollow rescue that leaves workers worse off,” one NUMSA member said outside the IDC, echoing a sentiment that has spread widely on social media.

What Comes Next

For now, NUMSA says it will continue applying pressure until the IDC intervenes decisively. The union insists that choosing the right bidder could mean the difference between recovery and another painful chapter of retrenchments.

As workers packed up their placards in Sandton, the message lingered. This is no longer just a boardroom decision. It is a fight over livelihoods, communities, and the future of South Africa’s steel industry.

{Source:EWN}

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