By MATUMA LETSAOLO —

New National Union of Mine workers general secretary David Sipunzi says his priority will be to return the union to its former glory.

Frans Baleni and Thsimane Montoedi have been booted out from their positions as general secretary and deputy general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, a move likely to change the balance of forces within the labour federation Cosatu.

Free State regional secretary David Sipunzi was elected as general secretary, and North East [Limpopo] regional secretary William Mabapa his deputy, at the union’s national congress in Johannesburg, which ended on Friday. Former deputy president Piet Matosa was elected new president, with Joseph Montiesetsi as his deputy.