Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 3 July 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu SIC is in session #GenderEquality#EqualPay #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 022 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #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
3 July 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NUM demands reversal of Eskom Rotek Industries CEO appointment
- DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
- South Africa
- SAMWU welcomes Labour Court Dismissal of uMhlathuze Vexatious Application
- Statement of the ANC Study Group on planning monitoring and evaluation on Statistics South Africa Budget Vote 14
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Union fury erupts over forced Mothae Mine layoffs
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NUM demands reversal of Eskom Rotek Industries CEO appointment
Khangela Baloyi, NUM Energy Sector Coordinator, 3 July 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) vehemently rejects the unprocedural appointment of Mr. Hector Danisa as the new CEO of Eskom Rotek Industries (ERI).
This decision, lacking transparency and consultation, undermines fair recruitment and casts a dark shadow over leadership integrity at ERI and Eskom.
1. Failed Leadership: A History of Collapse
Mr. Danisa's past record reveals a troubling pattern: he presided over the collapse of a previous company where he held a senior executive role. This failure stemmed from weak governance and poor financial oversight, not just market conditions. Appointing an individual with such a demonstrable history of failure to lead a struggling entity like ERI is unacceptable and dangerous.
2. Gross Breach of ERI Recruitment Policy
Mr. Danisa’s appointment flagrantly violates ERI's own recruitment policies. There was no public advertisement, no formal interview process, and no engagement with organized labor. Qualified internal candidates, with years of dedicated service and institutional knowledge, were deliberately overlooked. This is a clear attack on meritocracy and succession planning within ERI.
3. Political Interference Allegations Rock Eskom Board
Deeply concerning allegations suggest Mr. Danisa’s appointment was politically manipulated by individuals on the Eskom Board. If true, this is an egregious example of cadre deployment and patronage that further cripples public institutions. ERI cannot be led by politically appointed individuals when its very survival depends on capable, ethical, and independent leadership. This further erodes public trust in the board.
Our Demands
The NUM demands:
• Immediate reversal of Mr. Danisa’s appointment.
• A transparent rerun of the recruitment process, adhering to all ERI policies and labor laws.
• An independent investigation into the Eskom Board's role in this decision.
• Mandatory consultation with trade unions on all future executive appointments.
• A commitment from Eskom and the Department of Public Enterprises to end political interference in executive placements.
The future of ERI and public trust are too important to sacrifice for politically driven appointments and recycled failures.
The NUM will continue to fight for integrity in public institutions and the interests of its members and the South African public.
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DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Dear Comrades,
You’re cordially invited to DITSELA’s National Siyakhuluma Seminar.
Topic: Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Date: 08th July 2025
Time: 11H00AM- 13H00PM
Venue: ZOOM
https://ditsela-org-za.zoom.us/j/94152009081...
Meeting ID: 941 5200 9081
Passcode: 620707
Contact: nele...@ditsela.org.za or ma...@ditsela.org.za for any enquiries.
See you there!
SAMWU welcomes Labour Court Dismissal of uMhlathuze Vexatious Application
Zandile Gumede, SAMWU Regional Secretary, 03 July 2025
The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) in the Shonamalanga Region notes and welcomes yet another significant victory for its members. On June 26, 2025, the Labour Court once again dismissed an urgent application from the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, which sought to interdict, or legally prevent, SAMWU's ongoing protected strike. This marks the second time the Municipality's attempts to silence workers through the courts have failed.
In a strong rebuke, the Labour Court not only struck the Municipality's case off the roll but also criticised both the Municipality and its legal representatives. The court found them culpable of attempting to mislead the court and for their persistent abuse of court processes. This decision unequivocally confirms SAMWU's consistent stance that the strike action is lawful, protected, and just. As a Union, we adhered to all legal requirements, including obtaining a certificate of non-resolution, conducting a ballot, and serving proper strike notice.
Despite repeated allegations from the Municipal Manager regarding violence and service delivery disruptions, SAMWU members have consistently acted with discipline and within the bounds of the law. Given these court rulings, SAMWU now urgently calls upon the uMhlathuze Municipality to immediately return to the negotiating table, as demanded by the Union. It is irresponsible and unacceptable for the Municipality to continue avoiding talks based on false narratives that have now been exposed and discredited in court.
The uMhlathuze community deserves leadership that acts in good faith, respects the rule of law, and prioritises both service delivery and worker welfare over petty legal disputes. SAMWU remains committed to meaningful negotiations aimed at resolving the current impasse. We will not be intimidated or distracted from our mandate to fight for the rights, dignity, and fair treatment of all municipal workers.
Issued by SAMWU Shonamalanga Region
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Statement of the ANC Study Group on planning monitoring and evaluation on Statistics South Africa Budget Vote 14
3 July 2025
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus welcomes the Statistics South Africa Budget Vote 14 which allocates R2.77 billion for Statistics South Africa. Stats SA, plays a critical role in providing the country with scientific statistical data to support decision making for all social partners, be it government, business, labour, civil society, international organisations and the public.
We welcome the multiple projects on digital transformation by Stats SA as contained in the Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan. In October 2023, Stats SA proudly delivered the results of the nation's first digital census. Innovation and development are enabled by access to robust data, and Stats SA should champion accessibility and increased usage of statistical data.
The ANC has recommended that Statistics South Africa should expand its statistical outputs to provide more detail of elements of climate change and digital technology. This will enhance the countries capability to plan climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and reduce the negative impact of natural disasters. With the growth of the digital economy and rapid innovation in digital technologies as Artificial Intelligence are shaping society.
The ANC supports the position of the Committee that the Stats SA, should receive additional allocation in upcoming financial years, this will further place it in the edge of the statistical data ecosystem in the country and its global competitiveness. The reduction of the vacancy rate of the entity should be addressed in the short term as this impacts the effectiveness of the institution.
Noting high levels of migration and illegal immigration patterns which impact various aspects of government policy and planning, we have recommended the need to enhance periodic population statistics noting the 10 year census cycle.
The 2025/26 Work Programme of Stats SA has committed to the release of over 290 statistical reports and publications, aimed at providing comprehensive insights into the economic, social, and environmental conditions of our nation.
Through these statistical publications, all social partners should leverage and optimise the usage of this data for various developmental objectives.
Issued
by Cde Teliswa Mgweba on behalf of the ANC Study Group on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
For
enquiries, please contact
Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer
+27 64 147 3276
International-Solidarity
Union fury erupts over forced Mothae Mine layoffs
3 July, 2025
The Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) is strongly objecting to the forced leave of 400 workers at Mothae Diamond Mine in Lesotho.
The temporary layoffs, which commenced in June this year, have slashed workers’ wages to 50 per cent of their usual earnings, a move the mine attributes to a slow diamond market in Europe. However, IDUL, an IndustriALL affiliate, has condemned the decision as a breach of labour laws and collective bargaining agreements.
Mothae mine’s layoffs come amid a period of transition for the mine’s ownership. Lucapa stated that its divestment to Lephema Executive Transport in 2024 was part of a strategic retreat to focus on assets in Angola and Australia. The sale, finalised in September 2024, raised questions about the mine’s long-term stability.
IDUL’s objections centre around the unilateral nature of the layoffs. May Rathakane, IDUL general secretary, said:
“Mothae Diamond Mine must respect trade union rights to collective bargaining and refrain from acting unilaterally where workers’ and trade union rights are concerned.”
He argues that Mothae mine’s management flouted legal obligations by failing to consult the union, as mandated by Lesotho’s
labour laws and the recognition agreement with the company. Further, he said IDUL is concerned by the erosion of labour rights in Lesotho’s mining sector, where workers often bear the brunt of market volatility. IDUL says the government of Lesotho, which had
expressed interest in acquiring Lucapa’s stake and is a shareholder, must intervene to safeguard jobs and ensure compliance with labour standards.
IndustriALL director for mining and diamonds, Glen Mpufane, criticised the use of market downturns as a pretext for wage cuts:
“Market volatility is not an excuse to withhold full wages. Diamond mining companies must plan for booms and slumps rather than sacrificing workers’ wages.”
The Mothae mine in Mokhotlong in the Maluti Mountains, in Lesotho’s Butha-Buthe district, has been a significant economic contributor since commercial production began in 2019. Initially developed by Lucara Diamond Corporation, the mine was acquired by Australia-based Lucapa Diamond Company in 2017, which held a 70 per cent stake until its sale in 2024 to local mining and construction company, Lephema Executive Transport.
The Government of Lesotho retains a 30 per cent stake, underscoring the mine’s strategic importance to the nation’s economy, which relies heavily on diamond exports which contribute 6-10 per cent of the country's GDP. In the past, Mothae has unearthed gem quality kimberlites that included a 215-carat diamond.
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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