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SAMWU is saddened by ANC comments. |
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 SAMWU is saddened by ANC comments.
SAMWU PRESS STATEMENT.
13th January 2010.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) the biggest trade union in the local government sector is extremely saddened by the comments directed at municipal employees in the Statement of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, on the occasion of the 98th Anniversary of the ANC, as delivered by the President of our country on the 8th of January 2010.
The worrying comment made by the President reads as follows; “We are of the firm view that municipal employees should not hold officials’ positions in political parties; and we will tighten our deployment procedures to ensure that we deploy comrades with political integrity and professional competence.”
SAMWU in its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the year highlighted the comments as disturbing. A firm resolution was taken at the SAMWU NEC meeting to engage the ANC’s National officials, offering the ANC an opportunity to clarify or apologise for the comments made on the occasion of the 98th Anniversary of the ANC.
The comments that were made are constitutionally and politically unnecessary. The ANC cannot tamper with the freedom of association we are guaranteed as South Africans and municipal employees.
As SAMWU we view this as part of a concerted effort to depoliticise and deunionise the public service, which could be disastrous for the country and the working class.
The comment that was hurled at municipal employees by the President is now being discussed by all the constitutional structures of the Union, for a way forward. The SAMWU NEC vowed to engage COSATU, the ANC and the SACP as a matter of urgency on this particular statement.
For further comment contact Walter Theledi SAMWU Deputy General Secretary on 011-331 0333/ 0825586580 or Sam Molope SAMWU President on 011-331 0333/ 0766371486.
Tahir Sema.
South African Municipal Workers' Union of COSATU.
National Media and Publicity officer.
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Office: 011-331 0333.
Cell: 0829403403.
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Worker's News April 2008 PART 1 (514)
