The knives are already out for the newly elected general secretary of the troubled National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), David Sipunzi. The Sunday Times has learnt that Sipunzi, who last month defeated Frans Baleni to become the union's top leader, was the target of an attempted censure motion last weekend.Opponents wanted to take him to task for public comments over the issues that have split Cosatu - the sacking of Zwelinzima Vavi as general secretary of the labour federation and the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa).story_article_left1Since his defeat of Baleni, Sipunzi has been vocal in his demands that Cosatu reverse its decision to fire Vavi and has openly campaigned for the return of Numsa.His remarks have angered other NUM leaders who, under Baleni's leadership, backed the action against Vavi and Numsa.A special NUM national executive committee meeting was held last weekend at which Sipunzi was lambasted for his "reckless" public remarks.Leading the charge against him were NUM regional leaders from Carletonville and Kimberley, regions that had backed Baleni against Sipunzi at last month's elective congress."The reason [the NEC meeting] was called was to deal with the new general secretary," said an insider who asked not to be named."Regional leaders were very angry. They said he can't be allowed to say what he wants without toeing the line. They said his comments were reckless. They said his pronouncements are not positions of the NUM."Another committee member confirmed that Sipunzi had come under fire."Comrades were very angry. The organisation affirmed its position on support for the ANC, on the expulsion of Vavi and Numsa."No one has a right to deviate," the member said.story_article_right2"Going forward, I don't think he is going to repeat that. He was told NUM has a position. No one has individual positions."Insiders said Sipunzi was saved from the attempt to formally censure him by his backers in the NEC who include leaders from several key regions.They argued that declarations endorsing the axing of Vavi and Numsa had not been formally adopted at the congress last month.But one of Sipunzi's critics on the committee said: "No resolution that was not adopted by congress was included in the final draft."Several committee members, especially those who served with Baleni, are said to be unhappy with Sipunzi's election. "Some regions and NEC members have not accepted the new leadership. They are very angry," one said.Sipunzi said he was not aware that anger had been directed at him during the committee meeting last week. But he acknowledged it was possible that some NUM leaders had not accepted the congress outcome."There is a possibility that there might be such people who are still dreaming," he said.He said the union would hold a media conference to communicate the outcome of the committee meeting.NUM president Piet Matosa declined to discuss the meeting, pending the news conference later this week...