Gwede+Mantashe,+NUM,+Phumzile+in+lions+den



=NUM: 'Phumzile in lion's den'=

Finance24, Jun 22 2005 07:22:01:850PM
Johannesburg - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka would make a good Deputy President but her appointment might cause some controversy, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Wednesday.

NUM said there could be speculation about her appointment because she is married to Bulelani Ngcuka, the former head of the National Prosecuting Authority who initiated the investigation into former Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

"We, without doubt, believe comrade Phumzile is capable of offering leadership and has demonstrated a good ability to work with the trade unions and business too," said Gwede Mantashe, NUM general secretary.

"We are, however, concerned that she's thrown into a lion's den given the controversies surrounding the office of the deputy president at this juncture."

He called for objectivity in assessing her appointment.

"We believe it is important that objectivity is exercised, such that we can divorce (her) appointment... from the other speculations and controversies linked to the matter.

"She must be given a chance in her new role," Mantashe said, adding that NUM was concerned that she had been "thrown into the lion's den".

"We, therefore, hope that comrade Phumzile is not compromised as a result.

"We trust that her experience of overcoming challenges in her past portfolio will come to the fore," Mantashe said.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was previously the minister of minerals and energy.

"We... wish to voice our hope that her deployment to the office of deputy president will not leave a vacuum in the ministry of minerals and energy, where she showed leadership and worked tirelessly for the transformation of the mining industry," he said.

However, Mantashe said NUM would support her replacement Lindiwe Hendricks.

"We also hope that our relationship with this ministry will continue growing and will be strengthened." he said.


 * //Edited by Adrienne Taylor//**


 * From: http://www.finance24.com/articles/economy/display_article.asp?Nav=ns&lvl2=econ&ArticleID=1518-25_1725548**