NUMSA Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola Resigns Over Death Threats

• Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, long-serving and outspoken spokesperson for NUMSA, has resigned after receiving multiple death threats
• She revealed that individuals had been sent to assassinate her and were monitoring her movements while she travelled to Cape Town
• With NUMSA’s National Congress approaching, Hlubi-Majola said she can no longer risk her safety or that of her family

JOHANNESBURG- The long-serving and outspoken spokesperson for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, has resigned, citing ongoing death threats.

SABC News reported on 1 February 2026 that, in her resignation letter, Hlubi-Majola revealed this was the third threat made against her life. She said that on Saturday, while travelling to Cape Town, she received a call warning that individuals had been sent to assassinate her and were monitoring her movements.

With NUMSA’s National Congress set for later this year, Hlubi-Majola said she fears tensions and security risks will escalate, adding that she can no longer expose herself or her family to further danger.

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@Blacksh90139340 wrote:

"This doesn’t make sense because she is just a spokesperson. There is more to the story."

@thatjolistoguy commented:

"This isn’t just about NUMSA. It’s about South Africa needing to draw a firm line: political and organisational disputes must never be settled through fear or violence. If we allow that line to blur, everyone becomes less safe."

@KHB_Ntuli said:

"I am sure they did a risk assessment and concluded that it was a serious threat. Your life comes first, Phakamile. What’s worrying is that NUMSA officials will all resign if they receive similar messages. Clearly, security can’t be guaranteed for officials. So criminals win"

@pecson007 stated:

"This is not good for democracy. We need to tolerate the views and work of others."

@TheMxolisi commented:

"People might think this is a joke, but it’s real. Ordinary people who are not public figures, like her, are getting such threats, especially business people. Families are warned not to say how they make a living because kids get kidnapped. Until it happens to you, keep joking."

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Briefly articles about NUMSA

• Briefly News reported that the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has called for a march to the United States consulate to protest perceived U.S. aggression and show solidarity with Venezuela. The union says the demonstration aims to challenge what it describes as imperialism and defend Venezuela’s sovereignty amid the ongoing crisis.
• The union led a march to the U.S. Consulate in Sandton to protest what it describes as U.S. military actions and the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, warning that similar interference could threaten other nations. The union also urged South African leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, to condemn the actions and defend international law and state sovereignty.
• NUMSA sharply criticised the ANC, calling its 29 years in power “wasted” as South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
• NUMSA has joined other organisations in taking legal action against the South African government and Eskom over persistent loadshedding, filing papers in the Gauteng High Court to push for an end to rolling blackouts that it says are harming livelihoods.
• A National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) official was fatally shot outside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) offices in Rustenburg during a wage dispute mediation, and three others were wounded in the incident.

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Source: Briefly News