NUMSA Central Committee Withdraws Powers from National Leaders Amid Internal Disputes

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is embroiled in a significant internal conflict after its Central Committee decided to withdraw the delegated powers of key national office-bearers, including General Secretary Irvin Jim and President Andrew Chirwa. This decision, announced in late October 2026, comes just weeks before the union’s 12th National Congress, scheduled for 30 November to 4 December 2026.

The dispute centres on disagreements arising from the organisation of regional congresses and the legitimacy of delegate credentials, notably involving the Mpumalanga region. Prior to the conflict, the Mpumalanga Regional Congress held in June 2026 faced complaints about the manner in which delegates were selected, with allegations that the election process violated NUMSA’s constitution. This led to a shop steward lodging a formal complaint, which escalated tensions within the union’s leadership.

In response, NUMSA’s President Andrew Chirwa announced that the Central Committee would reconvene without the Mpumalanga delegates, citing concerns over the validity of their credentials. However, this move was challenged in the Labour Court by Mpumalanga regional chair Nkosinathi Makhanya. On 22 October 2026, Labour Court Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje ruled that the national office-bearers could not exclude the Mpumalanga delegation from Central Committee meetings, affirming that only the Central Committee has the authority to determine the validity of regional delegates. The court’s judgment underscored the Central Committee’s status as the highest decision-making body between national congresses and confirmed the scheduled dates for the national congress.

The unfolding events included a contentious Central Committee meeting originally set for 23 to 25 October 2026. General Secretary Irvin Jim attempted to cancel this meeting, citing disruption caused by the Labour Court ruling and indicating plans to appeal. Despite this, delegates from several regions, including Mpumalanga, JC Bez, Eastern Cape, Sedibeng, and KwaZulu-Natal, insisted the meeting proceed as planned, accusing Jim of overstepping his authority and attempting to obstruct the union’s constitutional processes. The meeting went ahead, and the Central Committee resolved to take over the management of union affairs temporarily due to the national office-bearers’ failure to attend or effectively conduct meetings.

The Central Committee appointed a task-coordinating team charged with overseeing preparations for outstanding regional congresses and the upcoming national congress. It set a deadline of 15 November 2026 for the completion of all pending regional congresses to ensure a smooth national congress process. The committee also established necessary subcommittees, including one to verify delegate credentials for the national congress.

Underlying the current dispute are broader concerns expressed by regional leaders about the national leadership’s adherence to constitutional obligations. Some regions have criticised delays in convening ordinary meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and questioned the handling of internal governance matters. These tensions have manifested in legal challenges and public disagreements, reflecting deeper fissures within South Africa’s largest metalworkers union.

NUMSA’s official communications reject allegations of financial wrongdoing, political capture, or misconduct involving its leadership. The union stresses that it operates through democratic constitutional structures extending from local to national levels and dismisses claims against General Secretary Irvin Jim and other leaders as part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the union ahead of its congress.

As the national congress approaches, questions remain about how the suspended national leaders will respond to the Central Committee’s actions and whether further legal challenges will ensue. The internal dispute continues to unfold, with the union’s governance and leadership facing scrutiny from within its ranks and the broader labour movement.