Taking COSATU Today Forward, 30 January 2026 #CosatuRedFridays
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY Today, it’s #CosatuRedFridays #Back2SchoolCampaign #Cosatu40 #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
30 January 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Department of Employment and Labour invites written submission on the intention to deem all performers in the performance
- South Africa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes Madlanga Commission Interim Report
- Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemns breach of diplomatic protocols
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Organized workers prevail over corporate evasion: A major win for labour rights
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Department of Employment and Labour invites written submission on the intention to deem all performers in the performance as employees
28 January 2026
In a move designed to protect vulnerable employees the Department of Employment and Labour is inviting interested stakeholders and parties on the intention to Deem Performers in the Performance of Advertising, Artistic, and Cultural Activities in South Africa as Employees.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has signed the notice as per the government gazette on her intention.
In terms of the notice employees in these sectors will enjoy privileges enjoyed by other employees in other sectors in terms of coverage to various labour market legislations such as: The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA); the National Minimum Wage (NMW); and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).
These processes form part of government's broader efforts to address reported challenges in the sector, including income insecurity, unsafe working conditions, and limited access to social protection, while ensuring that any regulatory intervention is evidence-based, consultative, and responsive to the realities of the industry.
This intention arises from widespread evidence and stakeholder representations indicating that performers in these sectors often operate under conditions characteristic of employment relationships, including fixed working hours, supervision, and payment for services rendered.
However, they are frequently excluded from basic labour protections due to their classification as “independent contractors".
This measure seeks to extend the fundamental protections of employment law to these vulnerable workers and provide a basis for regulatory and enforcement mechanisms that promote decent work in the creative economy.
The notice was published on 23 January 2026. Interested persons are invited to submit written representations regarding this proposal within 30 (working days) of publication of this notice to:
The Director-General: Department of Employment and Labour Attention: Acting Deputy Director General: Labour Policy and Industrial Relations Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or Email: SDinvest...@LABOUR.gov.za
For media enquiries, please contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694/ teboho....@labour.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes Madlanga Commission Interim Report
29 Jan 2026
On the 13th of July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
This followed serious allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system in South Africa.
The Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, submitted its interim report on the 17th of December 2025 in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President.
President Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations.
President Ramaphosa further welcomes the referrals by the Commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals.
The Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by the relevant and impacted law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations.
The commission also makes recommendations in some instances for disciplinary measures to be taken against individuals alleged to be involved in wrongdoing including criminal acts and corruption.
Clause 7 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference empowers the Commission to “consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations regarding the employment status of such officials including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.”
Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.”
Clause 12 states that “the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator.”
President Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report. Such immediate action will help to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.
Where the commission has said that there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, it has made referrals for investigation by the appropriate officials in the South African Police Service, Independent Police Investigative Directorate or the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The referrals relate to the following SAPS officials
Major General Lesetja Senona
Major General Richard Shibiri
Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu
Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
Sergeant Fannie Nkosi
Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was also found by the Commission with regard to the following current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality:
Suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi
EMPD Officer Bafana Twala
EMPD Officer Aiden McKenzie
EMPD Officer Kershia Leigh Stols
EMM former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi
EMM fleet manager/proxy Mr Chris Steyn
EMM Head of Department of Human Resources Ms Linda Gxasheka
EMM Head of Legal Adv Kemi Behari
Mr Etienne van der Walt
The matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the South African Police Service, City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
Where IPID is already seized with certain matters, the Commission will make a referral to IPID on the status of their investigations and seek explanations for any delays.
President Ramaphosa has noted that some of the implicated individuals will return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them and that more witnesses are yet to deliver their evidence.
While the Commission emphasises that, with the exception of EMPD Chief, Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, it has not yet heard the response of some of the relevant persons listed above, the allegations against them remain prima facie allegations only and are not findings of the Commission.
The nature of these allegations however warrants the referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial or regulatory action right away.
President Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia and General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service to constitute a special investigations task team, with a leader who will report directly to General Masemola. The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation.
Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency.
President Ramaphosa would like to express his deepest appreciation to the Commission chairperson, retired Justice Madlanga, Commissioners Baloyi and Khumalo and to all the Commission staff for their diligent work in the delivery of the interim report.
The President looks forward to the finalisation of the Commission’s work and its contribution to the effective functioning of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.
For
media enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President
E-mail: me...@presidency.gov.za
Issued by The Presidency
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Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemns breach of diplomatic protocols
27 Jan 2026
Eastern
Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane condemns breach of Diplomatic Protocols and unauthorised engagements by AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo with Israeli Embassy officials
Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, has learnt with shock and with serious concern of reports of the recent visit by officials of the Embassy of Israel to public institutions within the province, including healthcare facilities and Walter Sisulu
University, without the knowledge, consent, or support of the Provincial Government.
Premier Mabuyane rejects the sinister deal between the King and Israel, and views these actions as an attempt by the Israeli government to undermine the sovereign right of the Republic of South Africa to manage its international affairs.
The
Authority to negotiate such cooperation resides with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), and the King has no mandate to interfere in the management of hospitals, including sourcing of foreign assistance.
The cooperation between government and international partners, as a rule should be initiated and managed by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation in conjunction with the National Treasury. The Premier views attempts to bypass established
protocol as mischievous.
Premier Mabuyane wishes to place it on record that, “the conduct of foreign relations is a constitutional competency vested in the national sphere of government. Accordingly, any engagement between foreign diplomatic missions and organs of state must occur through established diplomatic channels and in line with national protocols, in close coordination with both national and provincial authorities”. “The actions of the Israeli Embassy, in conducting engagements with provincial institutions outside of these established frameworks, constitute a clear breach of diplomatic protocol and undermine cooperative governance as well as the sovereignty of the Republic of South Africa” continued the Premier.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government (ECPG) remains firmly committed to advancing international partnerships that support development, investment, innovation, and service delivery for the benefit of the people of the province. “Indeed, the province is currently experiencing an unprecedented investment momentum and continues to build a growing multilateral and bilateral footprint with like-minded governments and partners across the world, including the United States of America”. “However, such relations must always be grounded in mutual respect, adherence to diplomatic conventions, and respect for South Africa’s constitutional order.
No external entity has the right to bypass legitimate governmental structures or to engage with public institutions in a manner that compromises governance, accountability, or public trust” added Premier Mabuyane. Premier Mabuyane has further directed the MEC for Health to investigate how departmental health officials reportedly accepted donations without following proper channels.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government will engage relevant stakeholders, including national authorities, to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to safeguard the integrity of government processes, protect public institutions, and prevent any recurrence of such incidents. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government remains resolute in defending constitutional governance, institutional integrity, and the dignity of the people of the Eastern Cape.
Enquries:
Khuselwa Rantjie
Cell:081 028 8841
E-mail: khuselwa...@ecotp.gov.za
Sonwabo Mbananga
Cell: 082 045 3963
E-mail: Sonwabo....@ecotp.gov.za
Province Eastern Cape
International-Solidarity
Organized workers prevail over corporate evasion: A major win for labour rights
29 January, 2026
On 20 January, workers in Pakistan won a landmark victory when the commissioner for workmen’s compensation and authority, under the Payment of Wages Act in Karachi, ordered IFFCO Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. to deposit Rs. 46,656,000 (US$168,019) to workers, within 30 days sending a clear message that outsourcing does not absolve companies of legal responsibility and that the rights of contract workers are non-negotiable.
The ruling ensures that 54 workers will each receive Rs. 864,000 (US$3,111), an amount that includes triple compensation for the prolonged denial of their lawful dues. Failure to comply with the order will result in the attachment of property and recovery of the amount as arrears of land revenue.
An excerpt from the order, by the commissioner, reads:
“The conduct of the respondents in denying lawful dues for several years, despite clear judicial pronouncements, warrants imposition of triple compensation to meet the ends of justice.”
In 2018, 54 workers of IFFCO Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. had filed a case under Section 16 of the Sindh Payment of Wages Act, 2015, stating they were denied their lawful 5 per cent profit bonus for the years 2011 to 2016. The workers argued that non-payment of the bonus was discriminatory and a clear violation of labour rights. The company repeatedly asserted that as employees of contractors, the workers were not entitled to the benefits being sought.
Contract workers employed by IFFCO Pakistan have previously challenged unfair labour practices and denial of union rights by the company. In 2024, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that employees of third-party contractors are employees of the principal employer (IFFCO). The Court further declared that workers performing permanent and integral functions are entitled to all statutory benefits, regardless of the nature of employment.
The persistence of the workers and the efforts of IndustriALL affiliate Pakistan Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mines and
General Workers Union (PCEM) demonstrated that organized struggle can overcome long delays in justice, setting a powerful legal precedent for wage recovery, profit bonus claims and contract workers’ rights.
Ashutosh Bhattacharya, IndustriALL’s south Asia regional secretary, says:
“This decision reaffirms a fundamental principle of labour justice: companies cannot use outsourcing as a shield to evade their obligations. The ruling strengthens protections for contract workers and sends a clear warning that denial of lawful dues will not go unpunished.”
The workers were represented by Ghulam Murtaza Tanoli, deputy general secretary of PCEM, and an applicant in the case.
______________________________
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