Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 7 July 2025
Norman Mampane
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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
7 July 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth delivers 2025/26 Budget Vote for Employment and Labour
- South Africa
- COSATU calls for urgent Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption levelled against the Police and Judiciary
- SACP statement regarding falsehoods in the Sunday World news article on SACP Leaders
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Solidarity with the Nationwide Strike of Indian Workers – July 9th, 2025
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU calls for urgent Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption levelled against the Police and Judiciary
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 07 July 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply concerned by very worrying allegations of corruption, collusion, criminality and state capture against some of the most senior leaders and officials of the South African Police Service, Judiciary and Correctional Services by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The nature of the allegations is extremely serious and will undermine the confidence that society has in law enforcement and its ability to ensure the safety of ordinary citizens and the rule of law.
The Federation supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appeal for calm as he attends to this matter.
Given the grave nature of the allegations, and the need for society to have faith in law enforcement, the Federation urges President Ramaphosa to appoint an independent commission of enquiry to investigate them and to ensure appropriate action is taken.
Whilst South Africans may be wary of another inquiry, the nature of these allegations, cannot be left unattended and would best be done by an independent inquiry.
It is equally important to emphasise that the ordinary members of the SAPS are persons of integrity who risk their lives on a daily basis to uphold the rule of law and protect society.
The actions, if confirmed, by a few should not taint the hard work of our rank and file police officers and members of law enforcement.
Issued by COSATU
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POPCRU Statement on revelations by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner
Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU National Spokesperson, 07 July 2025
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has taken note of the recent public revelations made by the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner against the entire value chain of the criminal justice system.
While we acknowledge the gravity and extensive nature of the information shared, which touches on matters central to the internal operations and integrity of law enforcement structures, POPCRU notes with seriousness the implications these disclosures may have on the broader stability and credibility of the country’s security architecture.
We are of the firm view that the safety and security of South Africans must never be compromised.
This moment demands responsible leadership, maturity, and transparency, not public spectacle or factional posturing. It is precisely during moments like these that the nation must rally behind principles of accountability, justice, and institutional integrity.
As matters stand, the public discourse is increasingly dominated by accusations and counter-accusations, many of which risk derailing the legitimate concerns that should instead be addressed through competent and independent processes.
We therefore call for calm and caution against such speculation.
The criminal justice system should be shielded from any interference, and mechanisms of oversight must be allowed to function, leading to a process that will result in facts being placed in the open.
POPCRU remains confident that, upon his return to the country, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa will exercise his constitutional duty as Head of State and the Commander-In-Chief of all armed forces to ensure this matter is urgently prioritised. It is essential that no stone be left unturned in determining the full scope of the issues raised, holding those found responsible accountable, and restoring public confidence in SAPS leadership.
We call on all members to remain committed to upholding the rule of law under extremely challenging conditions, to continue the fight against crime and corruption and to ensure the environments they work under are not compromised.
As POPCRU, we reaffirm our commitment to defending the dignity of all officers who serve with honour and discipline.
Issued by POPCRU
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SACP statement regarding falsehoods in the Sunday World news article on SACP Leaders
Mbulelo Mandlana, Head of Media, Communications and Information, 6 July 2025
The South African Communist Party (SACP) expresses profound indignation at the inaccurate claims made in the Sunday World newspaper report regarding SACP leaders defying the Party’s resolution to contest local government elections, as outlined in the 5th Special National Congress in 2024. The report, published on Sunday 6 July 2026, purports to reveal an alleged internal rebellion within the SACP based on the Party’s decision to contest the upcoming local government elections. However, this report is devoid of factual evidence and constitutes blatant misinformation from the outset.
The report appears to be a product of age-old speculation and propaganda employed by certain sections of the South African media when confronted with an instance of scarcity of substantive news. The headline, while attempting to capture public attention, lacks any substantiating news content in the end, leaving the readers with more guesswork than facts. The Sunday World seems to believe that the SACP’s decision to contest the elections should be portrayed, above all, as a controversial issue, thereby propagating it as a sensationalised story without offering any new revelations or actual news. This headline in particular is a click-bait which represents the lowest journalistic standard or practice.
This headline and article align with the narrative of individuals who harbour some animosity towards the SACP and criticise its actions and decisions as they are part of this negative disposition. This section of political actors and commentators seeks to create a manufactured scenario of public outrage and a verbal altercation between ANC and SACP members and leaders, thereby accelerating their efforts to undermine the Alliance for the benefit of those who oppose the revolution. This aligns with the long-standing strategy of divide-and-conquer. It is a longstanding desire for many SACP critics and opponents to isolate the SACP from the working class, its movement and progressive sections of society, thereby fulfilling their anti communist aspirations.
As SACP, we unequivocally oppose this agenda and will not permit the media to portray us as a political aggressor attempting to undermine our historic political accomplishments, which is illogical. We will engage in a constructive dialogue with journalists and continue to advocate for media freedom, ensuring that news reporting is devoid of sensationalism and distortions. This, in the final analysis, is political gossip intended to poison the rank and file of the SACP as much it is intended to sow divisions among the high ranking officials and leadership of the Party. The SACP calls on its members to defend their Party and resist this form of infiltration by falsehoods and misrepresentations.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
International-Solidarity
Solidarity with the Nationwide Strike of Indian Workers – July 9th, 2025
7 July 2025
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) extends its class-oriented, militant solidarity to the working class of India and the Joint Platform of Trade Unions for their nationwide general strike on July 9th, 2025.
This militant strike is a just and necessary response to the anti-worker, pro-monopoly policies of the Indian government, which seeks to impose the new Labour Codes that destroy fundamental trade union rights, eliminate job protections, and intensify the exploitation of the working class in favor of capitalist profits.
The corporatization and privatization of public sector undertakings, the attack on the Old Pension Scheme, and the deterioration of workers’ living and working conditions are direct results of the neoliberal agenda implemented by the Indian ruling class and its political instruments. These measures are designed to serve the interests of multinational corporations and the local bourgeoisie, at the expense of the rights, dignity, and future of millions of Indian workers.
The WFTU denounces these anti-people policies and joins its voice with the Indian workers and their fair demands for:
• The immediate repeal of the anti-worker Labour Codes;
• The restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and dignified retirement for all workers;
• The end of privatization of strategic public sector industries, including defence;
• The protection of trade union rights, including the right to strike, to organize, and to engage in collective bargaining.
The strike of the Indian workers is not only a national struggle. It is part of the broader, international class struggle against exploitation and against the attack on workers’ rights and just demands. The militant spirit of the Indian working class is an example for workers all over the world who resist the policies of austerity, privatization, and anti-union repression.
The WFTU calls upon its affiliates and friends in every continent to express their solidarity with the Indian workers, by issuing statements of support, by organizing solidarity actions, and by reinforcing the unity and coordination of the international class-oriented trade union movement.
The strongest weapon of the international class-oriented trade union movement is solidarity! And the WFTU will not stop standing in solidarity with the struggling workers of India and with the just demands of the workers all around the world!
On behalf of the WFTU
Pambis Kyritsis,
WFTU General Secretary
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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