Taking COSATU Today Forward, 8 July 2025
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 002 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward
‘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
8 July 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Statement on the successful SAPS operation into an extensive fraud and corruption scam involving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims
- South Africa
- SACP statement on KZN Provincial Police Commissioner General Mkhwanazi's allegations of meddling and political interference in SAPS operations
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Global education union movement rallies in solidarity with educators in the United States as they resist relentless attacks from the Trump Administration
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Statement on the successful SAPS operation into an extensive fraud and corruption scam involving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims
8 July 2025
The ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour welcomes and shares the positive sentiments expressed by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Hon Nomakhosazana Meth, on the successful takedown operation led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) into an extensive fraud and corruption scam involving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims.
The coordinated operation in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and Gauteng resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including a 42-year-old official stationed at Labour House in Bloemfontein who it is believed is a pivotal figure in orchestrating the elaborate scheme. The arrests stem from an investigation into fraudulent UIF claims involving fictitious companies and stolen identities, with losses to the Department estimated to exceed R1,5 million.
The investigation uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving the use of stolen or voluntarily surrendered identities to create fictitious companies. These entities were then used to file false UIF claims with the Department of Labour. The illegally acquired funds were allegedly distributed among recruiters, referred to as “runners”, and in some instances, even the individuals whose identities were misused.
We commend the SAPS action and call on them to leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the fraudulent scheme and its criminal network. We also offer our unwavering support to the Minister and SAPS for all actions aimed at rooting out corruption, and their tireless efforts to hold those who exploit government systems for their personal enrichment accountable.
Issued
by the Whip of the Study Group on Employment and Labour, Cde Mncedisi Nontsele
For
enquiries, please contact
Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer
+27 64 147 3276
SACP statement on KZN Provincial Police Commissioner General Mkhwanazi's allegations of meddling and political interference in SAPS operations
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 7 July 2025
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has noted with grave concern the statements and allegations made by General Mkhwanazi in a press conference he convened on Sunday 6 July 2025. As the Communist Party, we believe that the press conference reveals a deep-seated and systematic crisis of corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS), a crisis that does not only put the police service in question but also puts the entire legal system in question.
It is not the first time that illegal activities have been publicly reported and alleged in the police service, but the seniority of the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal in this particular instance, as a lead person impugning high level malfeasance in the police service, distinctly places this occurrence above all we have seen in the recent past. The recent press conference held by General Mkhwanazi was notable for its unprecedented nature. The allegations he presented had a wide reach, impacting a diverse range of political leaders, high-ranking police officials and even individuals within the judiciary. The inclusion of these alleged perpetrators in a grand corruption scheme raises concerns about the potential for an imminent threat to our national security and sovereignty. The allegation of international drug cartels manipulating national security apparatus for criminal purposes underscores the gravity of the situation.
The SACP has taken note of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to address the matters brought to the fore by General Mkhwanazi upon his return from his international travels. As the SACP, we firmly believe that any intervention by the executive branch, as suggested by the President, must extend beyond the surface issues that may be apparent to the untrained eye. It must endeavour to unravel the intricate web of a potential criminal network that has not only tainted the police service but has also essentially captured and undermined the entire state in a pervasive web of corruption and criminality.
The SACP calls for an independent enquiry into the allegations specified by the KZN Police Commissioner as well as any and all standing questions of law enforcement in the country, some of which include political killings, killings of traditional leaders, all forms of murder, international drug cartels and operations or leadership of the SAPS in general, among others. In addition to this, the SACP calls for an extensive probe to look into the capacity of the SAPS to execute its mandate to prevent, combat and investigate crime given the historic rot in the institution.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
International-Solidarity
Global education union movement rallies in solidarity with educators in the United States as they resist relentless attacks from the Trump Administration
Democracy, 4 July 2025
On the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, education unions around the world are standing up in support of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Our colleagues are on the frontlines, mobilising and organising to defend public education, students, and school communities from the authoritarian policies of the Trump Administration.
Public education, teachers, education support personnel, and students in the United States are facing unrelenting attacks from the current administration.
Cutting funding for public education, dismantling the Department of Education, cancelling diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, financially blackmailing universities to muzzle free speech on campus, censorship in the classroom are all measures that undermine the right to education and the freedom to learn. When these rights are threatened, democracy is in danger.
Addressing thousands of education unionists at the Representative Assembly of the NEA in Portland, EI General Secretary David Edwards stressed that “on this 4th of July the teachers, activists, and unions from EI stand ready to extend their solidarity with you as you have done with them”.
“You are not alone. We stand in solidarity with you. All of our members have pledged their solidarity with you as you face this dark moment. We know that this is our duty – to resist”, added Mugwena Maluleke, Education International President.
From Taiwan to Brazil, from Senegal to Canada, and from Hungary to Australia, Education International member organisation from all over the world have mobilised to send colleagues in the United States a message of steadfast solidarity as they oppose the assault on their schools and democracy.
“When education is under attack, we fight back. When academic freedom is threatened, we stand together. And when students, especially the most marginalised, are targeted, we defend them with everything we’ve got. You are not alone. The entire international trade union movement has your back. Keep fighting. You can and you will win”, said Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union in the United Kingdom.
In his solidarity message, Alfonso Cepeda Salas, General Secretary of SNTE Mexico and member of the EI Executive Board, highlighted that “teachers and education support staff deserve respect, resources and the freedom to teacher the truth without censorship. Students, especially those who are most vulnerable, deserve safe, inclusive, and well-resourced schools. From Mexico, we see you, we support you, we are with you. Union solidarity knows no borders”.
Noting that educators in the US and in Argentina are facing similar threats and attacks, Roberto Baradel, EI Executive Board member from CTERA Argentina, expressed his conviction that “international solidarity and our common fight will succeed in reversing this situation”.
Correna Haythorpe, Federal President of the Australian Education Union and member of the EI Executive Board, stated that “the AUE is appalled by the Trump Administration’s attacks on public education, attacks which impact on us all, not only in America, but on the global education community. To the NEA and the AFT, we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you in solidarity in this fight”.
“From Senegal, we stand with you. You have all our solidarity. Solidarity in defence of public education, of inclusion, of diversity. We teach, we march, we defend human rights. In the classrooms, in the street, in our communities, we support each other. SYPROS together with Education International tell you: Solidarity, solidarity, solidarity!” said Marième Sakho Dansokho, EI Vice-President for Africa and General Secretary of the Teacher Trade Union of Senegal (SYPROS).
Heleno Araújo, EI Vice-President for Latin America and President of CNTE Brazil echoed these sentiments, stressing that “we are coming together to extend our solidarity and all our support and strength to educators in the United States. You can count on us, on our solidarity to overcome this difficult moment”.
“For public education, for freedom of expression, for diversity, equity and inclusion, for academic freedom, for the rights of education workers, we will continue to support your important struggle to defend democracy”, added Maike Finnern, EI Vice-President for Europe and President of GEW Germany.
Click here to read all the solidarity messages in support of our colleagues in the United States.
______________________________
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