Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 15 April 2026 #CosatuMayDay2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU National May Day will be celebrated at Polokwane, Limpopo on May 1 #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Our side of the story
15 April 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SADTU condemns brutal attacks on educators in Ekurhuleni
- Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open
- South Africa
- COSATU urges further interventions by government to cushion the economy from the wars in the Middle East
- South African Communist Party Statement on the bilateral meeting with the ANC
- Special Investigating Unit secures preservation orders to recover R19 million UIF TERS fraud
- Minister Siviwe Gwarube sets out position on draft history curriculum
- Minister Parks Tau on Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- LAB calls on CAF to withdraw from the Jerusalem Light Rail project
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
SADTU condemns brutal attacks on educators in Ekurhuleni
Nomusa Cembi, SADTU Media Officer, 15 April 2026
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) is outraged at the targeted attacks on educators in Ekurhuleni, which have once again claimed the life of a dedicated teacher and left another fighting for his life in hospital.
On Monday, 13 April, a Barcelona Primary School educator and union member Tshepo Mankge was brutally gunned down as he was walking to school in Daveyton in the presence of his children, and the deputy principal and current acting principal of Lethulwazi Comprehensive School in Vosloorus, Kenneth Mandoyi was shot and critically injured hardly two kilometres from the school on his way home. He was rushed to hospital and is in the Intensive Care Unit.
The cold-blooded killing of Comrade Mankge, a committed professional who was always the first to arrive early at school on a daily basis and taught at the school for two decades shaping young minds, is a painful reminder that those entrusted with building the future of this country are killed with impunity. The fact that nothing was taken from him points to a deliberate and targeted attack.
SADTU strongly condemns these ghastly acts. We are alarmed by the growing pattern of violence in Ekurhuleni directed at school leadership particularly principals, deputy principals, and heads of departments. Since 2023, nearly ten educators have lost their lives in the region alone, yet justice continues to evade the victims and their families.
This failure to apprehend perpetrators emboldens criminal and sends a dangerous message that educators are easy targets. We therefore call on the security and justice cluster to act with urgency and decisiveness. These killings must be prioritised, thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be brought to book without delay.
The loss of these educators is not only a tragedy for their families but a blow to the broader community and the country at large. Teachers are nation-builders, and any attack on them is an attack on the future of our country.
SADTU extends its deepest condolences to the Mankge family during this painful period and wishes Comrade Mandoyi a full and speedy recovery.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
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Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 08 April 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has officially opened media accreditation applications for Workers’ Day celebrations on 1 May 2026. The Federation will continue with its tradition of hosting celebrations across the country, with the national rally to be held at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The President of COSATU, Zingiswa Losi will deliver the keynote address, with messages of support from leaders of Alliance Partners: the African National Congress (ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP) and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO).
COSATU National Office bearers will lead provincial commemorations, alongside leaders of affiliated trade unions and members of the Federation’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Applications to cover the national rally may be submitted to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za.
Alternatively, an application form can be completed via this link:
Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open – Fill out form
Applications to cover provincial rallies can be sent to the following contacts:
1. Western Cape- Mbekweni Sport Stadium (Paarl) at 10:00
Malvern de Bruyn 060 977 9027 or Cleopatra Kakaza 072 312 6822
2. Gauteng - Tsakane Stadium (Brakpan) at 10:00
Louisa Modikwe 082 297 2659 or Itumeleng Moloantoa 071 873 5238
3. Free State- Bultfontein Stadium (Bultfontein) at 10:00
Tiisetso Mahlatsi on 077 607 3012 or Mongezi Mbelwane on 072 308 7658
4. KwaZulu Natal Curries Fountain Stadium (Durban) at 10:00
Edwin Mkhize 082 339 7756 or Khaliphile Cotoza 082 339 5760
5. Mpumalanga- Kamagugu Stadium (Mbombela) at 10:00
Thabo Mokoena 082 799 5699 or James Mahlabane 064 753 9055
6. Northern Cape- Open Air Arena (Galeshewe) at 10:00
Thandi Makapela 079 481 9077
7. North West- Olympia Stadium (Rustenburg) at 10:00
Kabelo Kgoro 067 410 4696
8. Eastern Cape - Nangoa Jebe Hall – Gqeberha, Orient Theatre (kuGompo) – Buffalo City, Tobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre (Komani) and Lusikisiki College Great Hall at 10:00
Mkhawuleli Maleki 082 339 5482
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU
urges further interventions by government to cushion the economy from the wars in the Middle East
Matthew
Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator,15 April 2026
The
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges further interventions by government to cushion the economy from further expected fallouts from the wars in the Middle East. Latest reports from the Central Energy Fund warn of additional petrol, diesel
and paraffin hikes of over R3, R10 and R7 each respectively.
This
is yet another blow that the economy limping along at 1% growth for more than a decade and battling a dangerously high unemployment rate of 41.1% cannot sustain.
The International Monetary Fund has already slashed the economy’s projected growth for 2026 down from 1.4% to 1%.
Government’s one-month R3 a litre fuel levy cut is a positive first step but much more relief is urgently needed. Whilst appreciating this effort to cushion society from the international oil price spike, we fear that workers and the economy will not cope with
further massive petrol, diesel and paraffin hikes.
Diesel is critical for the public transport that workers depend upon as is paraffin for millions of working-class families. Workers already drowning in debt, supporting up to seven relatives each and spending an average of 40% of their meagre wages on transport;
will not manage such painful petrol, diesel and paraffin price hikes.
COSATU is sensitive to the real fiscal pressures facing the state.
We welcome the Minister for Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana’s commitment to engage upon and put further relief in place to protect society and the economy from this disaster. This is urgent given that no one appears to know when the cause of this crisis, the
war in the Persian Gulf, will end and once it does, it will still take some time for oil and gas supplies to return to full capacity, and their prices to fall to pre-war levels.
The most important source of relief for workers, society and the economy, is to further reduce the fuel levy and taxes. This is the most impactful and cost-effective solution to this global crisis. Additional relief should be sought by making public transport
more affordable to commuters.
It is essential that measures to reduce the price of paraffin be found as it is not subject to the fuel levy.
If
the war drags on and inflation rises, additional relief should be put in place, in particular adjusting social and the SRD grants for inflation, delivering food parcels to social grant recipients, putting in place measures to protect food from inflation with
targeted support for agriculture and Transnet, and engaging Eskom on measures to reduce the price of electricity.
The Reserve Bank must spare society further pain by not increasing the repo rate as this source of inflation is external and not domestic driven and workers’ wages must be protected from further hemorrhaging.
The private sector must contribute towards an economic and social relief package by committing to end retrenchments and providing loan and insurance payment holidays for struggling consumers. Government, with the support of public and private financial institutions
must put in place a bold stimulus package to kick start an under-siege economy.
COSATU will continue to engage government on a package of bold, progressive and decisive measures to cushion workers, the poor and the economy from this global crisis.
Issued by COSATU
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South African Communist Party Statement on the bilateral meeting with the ANC
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 15 April 2026
The South African Communist Party (SACP) held a bilateral meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) at Luthuli House in Johannesburg following an invitation of the SACP to the meeting. The bilateral occurred after the ANC’s conclusion of its special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on the weekend of 12 April.
The bilateral discussed important issues affecting the Alliance and the national democratic revolution as a shared programme between the Alliance partners. As part of its input, the ANC tabulated matters emanating from its special NEC meeting, particularly those relating to elections processes in as far as they affect the relations of the Alliance partners, more particularly the SACP as an organisation that will also participate in the upcoming local government elections.
Among other issues, the meeting reflected on the ANC’s position to communicate its election approach and expectations to its members. The SACP respects the ANC’s independence to manage this process. In the context of a shared membership between the ANC and SACP, this discussion is important for members of the SACP who are also members of the ANC. The SACP will remain available for further engagements on this matter as we remain committed to the organisational formation of the Alliance, which critically includes dual membership. We view dual membership not as a punishable offence but as an asset for the progressive cause. It is through the idea and practice of dual membership that the revolutionary movement succeeded in building the most powerful political movement that defeated colonial and apartheid forces. Any action to undermine it serves only to reverse any potential for further progress on transformation.
As an important element of the discussion, the ANC and the SACP reaffirmed their continued commitment to the Alliance, even as the SACP prepares to contest the upcoming local government elections in its own name for the first time in the democratic era. Considering existing standing committees between the ANC and SACP relating to management of alliance relations during the course of the elections, the bilateral agreed to continue to work out and refine the rules of engagement. However, as the SACP, we are concerned that the work of this task team has not been given sufficient attention from the side of the ANC. The SACP is committed to maintaining productive cooperation with Alliance partners in this area and any other important area of work.
The SACP remains steadfast in its position that no member of the Party will face any political retribution whatsoever for holding a membership of the ANC. The SACP remains committed to its resolution to contest the upcoming local government elections and sees no contradiction between its decision and sustaining the Alliance with its shared objectives. We welcome what we see as the ANC’s ultimate realisation of the unchanging nature of this decision of the SACP as reflected in the engagements in the bilateral meeting.
As we prepare for the local government elections, we continue to build organisational capabilities that will endure beyond the election season and position the Communist Party on a positive trajectory moving into the next century.
The Party’s primary focus remains establishing a strong working-class base for sustained socialist struggles while utilising electoral opportunities to defend national democratic ideals and consolidate the transformation project.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
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Special Investigating Unit secures preservation orders to recover R19 million UIF TERS fraud
14 Apr 2026
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained preservation orders from the Special Tribunal over assets worth millions, following its investigation into fraudulent claims amounting to R19,183,197.34 that Nako Mang Trading Enterprise CC made to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) under the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
The preserved assets include:
two residential properties in Turffontein, Gauteng
an agricultural holding in Union Forests Plantation Agricultural Holdings
Toyota Dyna
Hyundai TQ H-1
Mercedes-Benz W205
Karet 1800 T Nosecone trailer
The Special Tribunal has interdicted the respondents from selling, transferring, or encumbering these assets, and directed the Registrar of Deeds to endorse title deeds with restrictions and register caveats to prevent disposal without Tribunal approval.
The SIU investigation revealed that Nako Mang Trading Enterprise fraudulently applied for UIF TERS benefits between 2020 and 2023, misrepresenting employment relationships. Affidavits from purported employees confirmed the company never employed them. Instead of paying workers as required, the funds were diverted into personal accounts of directors and associates.
The SIU’s investigation revealed that Mr Nikluis Manuel, director of Nako Mang, purchased vehicles in cash immediately after UIF disbursements and retained portions of the funds as “commission.” Downstream beneficiaries included Ms Khanyi Angel Nokukhanya, who received R569,920.21 from Nako Mang’s UIF proceeds, later applied towards property acquisitions. This pattern of layering and integration is consistent with money laundering, which disguises the unlawful origin of public funds through movable and immovable assets.
The preservation orders ensure that these assets remain secure and are not dissipated before the finalisation of civil recovery proceedings. The SIU will seek to recover losses suffered by the UIF, which amount to more than R148.4 million across multiple companies implicated in fraudulent TERS claims.
Through these proceedings, the SIU reinforces its mandate to protect public funds, hold perpetrators accountable, and restore integrity in the administration of relief schemes. This action is necessary to safeguard public funds, prevent further dissipation of assets, and strengthen the prospects of recovery to the UIF.
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate allegations made in respect of the affairs of the Unemployment Insurance Fund in terms of Proclamation R.8 of 2021. The SIU investigated TERS payments to persons who were not entitled to receive such payments and those who submitted false, irregular, invalid or defective applications to the UIF, including the causes of such maladministration.
The SIU remains committed to holding accountable those who unlawfully benefit from public funds and to ensuring that monies intended for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic are recovered. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action. The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the State, including funds paid for services not rendered.
Enquiries:
Spokesperson
Selby Makgotho
Cell: 083 718 6128
E-mail: sium...@siu.org.za
Issued by Special Investigating Unit
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Minister Siviwe Gwarube sets out position on draft history curriculum
14 Apr 2026
The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, has noted the public debate regarding the draft History curriculum and the concerns raised in various quarters.
In 2019 the former Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga, appointed a Task Team to develop a new History curriculum for Grades 4 to 12. That work culminated in a proposed draft curriculum document, which is currently out for public comment. Minister Gwarube emphasised that the document before the public is a draft. It has been published precisely so that South Africans can study it carefully and make substantive submissions on it.
“The more inclusive this process is, the more inclusive our History curriculum will be. I therefore encourage as many people as possible to indicate where they believe the draft should be strengthened, corrected, expanded or refined,” said Minister Gwarube. Minister Gwarube also set out her view on the principles that should guide the development of the History curriculum. Our History curriculum should not exclude key events or perspectives on political grounds, nor should it impose any particular ideology on learners. I am committed to ensuring that the curriculum equips learners to think critically about our past, so that they may form their own opinions,” she added. Minister Gwarube also cautioned against misinformation, noting that some of the claims circulating about the draft curriculum are not supported by the content.
She called on stakeholders to engage critically and directly with the document.
“As South Africans we understand how complex our history is, and how important the study of it is for reconciliation and nation-building. Robust and responsible engagement is essential to ensure that the outcome of this process has a positive impact on our learners and our country,” Minister Gwarube concluded.
Issued by Department of Basic Education
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Minister Parks Tau on Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference
14 Apr 2026
Northern Cape strategically located to lead SA’s transition to green energy – Minister Tau
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau has described the Northern Cape as strategically placed to be South Africa's next growth region.
He was addressing the second day of the Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference hosted at the Mittah Seperepere International Convention Centre in Kimberly.
The three-day conference aims to serve as a catalyst to align government, business and development partners around a shared programme to unlock large scale investment, accelerate industrial development and sustainable job creation.
Addressing delegates, Tau said the race for green hydrogen is no longer speculative, governments and corporations across Europe, Asia and the Americas are committing billions to secure supply chains.
“The Northern Cape sits at the intersection of all three: namely clean energy, critical minerals and green hydrogen. Certainly, this province has the land, the sun and the wind to become one of Africa's pre-eminent renewable energy production zones. Through Boegoebaai and the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, it has the infrastructure anchor to build a hydrogen economy of genuine scale. These are live policies and programmes with government commitment and investor interest behind them,” he said.
He told the conference that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has structured its approach to industrialisation around three organising themes, namely: Decarbonisation, Diversification, and Digitalisation and these 3Ds align almost precisely with where the Northern Cape's competitive advantages lie.
He concluded: “As an outcome of our G20/B20 Presidency which was premised on the pillars of solidarity, equality and sustainable development, government and the private sector will be coming together to realise the Northern Cape’s potential and position it as South Africa’s next economic frontier.”
Media
Enquiries:
Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
Mobile: +27 82 520 6813
WhatsApp: +27 82 520 6813
E-mail: KA...@thedtic.gov.za
Phumzile Kotane – Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1147
Mobile: 071 462 8246
WhatsApp: 071 462 8246
E-mail: PKo...@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
International-Solidarity
LAB calls on CAF to withdraw from the Jerusalem Light Rail project
by WFTU HQ,14 Apr 2026
Due to its involvement in the Jerusalem Light Rail project, several civil society organizations have filed a lawsuit against CAF. In response, LAB recalls that the project does not comply with international law and reaffirms the position it has held from the beginning, in favor of withdrawing from the project.
LAB trade union centre has opposed CAF’s participation in this project from the very beginning and has repeatedly made its stance clear. As soon as it became known that the company was taking part in the project tender, LAB took the initiative and the works council requested its withdrawal from the tender in January 2019. Later, in August 2019, after learning that CAF had won the contract, it demanded that the company renounce the project. Finally, on July 8, 2025, when Sidenor decided to break relations with Israel, LAB once again called on CAF’s management to withdraw from the project. However, the company has repeatedly ignored the demands of workers and trade unions.
In recent years, CAF workers have carried out numerous initiatives in support of Palestine, such as halting production during a general strike in solidarity with Palestine, organizing protests against the genocide, and denouncing the company’s responsibility in the project and, therefore, in the occupation of Palestinian land.
The lawsuit against CAF, made public today, is linked to the report presented in 2025 by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The report pointed out that several companies, including CAF, were profiting from the occupation.
In light of this, LAB reiterates today what it has always defended and calls on CAF’s management to withdraw from the project, as this infrastructure will be used to connect Israeli settlements that are illegally built on Palestinian land. Since the United Nations itself considers the occupation of land in East Jerusalem illegal, the project itself is also illegal under international law.
LAB wishes to express its solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounces the complicity of Basque companies in the occupation, colonization, and genocide, stating that it is not legitimate to do business at the expense of a genocide.
Finally, LAB expresses its concern about the consequences that the lack of scruples of employers may have on future projects and the harm this could cause to workers. The decision to cooperate with Israel, CAF’s inclusion on the UN blacklist of companies involved in colonial practices, and this lawsuit against the company’s management do not present the best image for a company like CAF when it comes to securing future projects.
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Norman Mampane (Shopsteward Editor)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, 2017
P.O.Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 Direct line: 010 219-1348