Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 28 May 2026
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
28 May 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- POPCRU Gauteng convenes a roundtable Workshop on Suicide Awareness and Substance Abuse
- South Africa
- COSATU Johannesburg Statement on the 2026/27 City of Johannesburg Budget Speech
- NUM condemns attacks on fellow African Migrants in South Africa
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- NUM send condolences to families of China mineworkers who died last week Friday
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
POPCRU Gauteng convenes a roundtable Workshop on Suicide Awareness and Substance Abuse
Richard Mamabolo, PPOPCRU National Spokesperson, 28 May 2026
POPCRU Gauteng is currently hosting a workshop on suicide awareness and substance abuse at the Radisson Hotel in Ekurhuleni under the theme:“Small Steps, Big Impact, It Starts with You.”
This workshop forms part of our continued commitment to the health, dignity, safety and overall wellbeing of our members across the criminal justice cluster. It recognises that law enforcement and correctional environments expose workers to extraordinary levels of pressure, trauma, violence, shift fatigue, family strain, financial stress and social isolation.
These realities can place members at risk of emotional distress, burnout, substance dependency and other mental health challenges.
The statistics remain a serious warning. SAPS management previously informed Parliament that 33 SAPS suicides were recorded in 2019/20, 30 in 2020/21 and 39 in 2021/22, while 38 homicide–suicide incidents were recorded between 2019 and 2022. More recent public reporting by mental health professionals has warned that 54 SAPS members died by suicide in the 2024/25 reporting period, with about 300 police suicides reported over seven years.
Substance abuse must also be understood as both a social and workplace wellness concern. Earlier SAPS Employee Health and Wellness reporting identified depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress disorders, substance abuse and attempted suicides among recurring mental health challenges affecting SAPS members. It further recorded that substance abuse formed part of the psychiatric and wellness cases requiring intervention. South Africa also continues to face a broader alcohol and substance abuse crisis, which government has linked to violence, road fatalities and gender-based violence.
POPCRU Gauteng therefore calls on members to treat mental health and substance abuse support not as a sign of weakness, but as an act of courage, responsibility and survival.
The theme “Small Steps, Big Impact, It Starts with You” reminds us that recovery and prevention often begin with one honest conversation, one request for assistance, one supportive colleague, one family intervention, or one decision to seek professional help before the situation worsens.
Members are encouraged to speak to trusted colleagues, shop stewards, POPCRU structures, Employee Health and Wellness officials, social workers, chaplains, psychologists or other qualified professionals. No member should suffer in silence.
*Where members can seek help*
For urgent emotional support, members may contact the *Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567* .
For mental health counselling and referral support, members may contact *SADAG on 011 234 4837* or the Cipla Mental Health Helpline on 0800 456 789.
For substance abuse support, members may contact the Department of Social Development *Substance Abuse Helpline on 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312*.
These helplines are listed by SADAG as national emergency and support contacts.
POPCRU Gauteng further urges commanders, managers and supervisors to create safer workplaces where members can ask for assistance without fear of ridicule, stigma or victimisation. Mental health support must be treated as a workplace right, a public safety priority and an organisational responsibility.
POPCRU Gauteng says: one life lost is one too many. Let us listen earlier, intervene sooner and support one another better. Small steps can save lives. Big impact starts with you.
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU Johannesburg Statement on the 2026/27 City of Johannesburg Budget Speech
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 28 May 2026
JOHANNESBURG – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Johannesburg notes the tabling of the 2026/27 Medium-Term Budget by the Executive Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, Cllr Loyiso Masuku, on 27 May 2026. As the economic heartbeat of South Africa, the fiscal path chosen by this administration directly impacts the lives of 5.9 million residents, the majority of whom are the working class and the poor.
On the Politically Facilitated Agreement (PFA) and Worker Interests
COSATU welcomes the formal budget allocation for the Politically Facilitated Agreement (PFA), which addresses historic and legacy salary disparities within the municipal workforce.
We appreciate the City’s commitment to ensuring workers receive fair compensation as a means to accelerate service delivery. Crucially, we support the City's stance to implement this responsibly and with fiscal discipline, ensuring that workers receive what is rightfully theirs without compromising the City’s long-term financial integrity.
On Tariff Increases and the Cost of Living
While COSATU remains concerned about the escalating cost of living, we note that the tariff increases presented in this budget are generally lower than those seen in other major metros.
However, these tariffs must not be seen as a win for workers, especially noting the continued rise in the cost of living in the country. The electricity tariff increase, which has been limited to an effective average household increase of 8.63% as opposed to the Eskom tariff of 9,01%, is noted with concern regarding the continued determination by Eskom to put strain on the budget of workers. As the Federation we appreciate the continuation of social safety nets, including 6 kiloliters of free water for every household and expanded social packages for the indigent.
On Inner City Rejuvenation and Spatial Justice
The Federation strongly supports the R7.2 billion allocation toward safety and urban management, alongside the dedicated pipeline for Inner City rejuvenation. For too long, apartheid spatial planning has forced workers to pay a "poverty tax" through high transport costs and long commute times.
The City’s focusing on rental flat renewal, the Walkable Network, and hijacked building interventions are essential to making the city safe and live-able for workers.
By revitalizing the Inner City as a residential and economic hub, we can reduce the heavy reliance on expensive transport, allowing workers to live closer to their places of employment.
Workers Unite!
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
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NUM condemns attacks on fellow African migrants in South Africa
Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 27 May 2026
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) strongly condemns the continued attacks, intimidation, and violence directed at fellow Africans in South Africa.
As the NUM we are deeply disturbed by the damage to property, assaults, threats, and xenophobic acts targeting African migrants. Such actions are unacceptable, divisive, and undermine the spirit of African unity and solidarity that our union has always championed.
The NUM will not remain silent while fellow brothers and sisters from the African continent are subjected to violence and harassment.
While we fully recognize and uphold the constitutional right of every South African to engage in peaceful protest and to express legitimate grievances, we draw a clear line between peaceful demonstration and acts of criminality, intimidation, and destruction.
Peaceful protest must never be used as a cover for lawlessness or the targeting of vulnerable communities.
The NUM has a proud and long-standing history of solidarity with migrant workers. Many of the founding fathers and early leaders of our union were migrants from various African countries who played a pivotal role in building this union.
To this day, a significant number of our members are migrant workers from sister nations including Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana, and Namibia. We have worked hand-in-hand with these comrades in the mines, shafts, and workplaces, fighting together for better wages, safer working conditions, and workers’ rights.
Furthermore, the NUM maintains strong fraternal relations with trade unions across the African continent. We continue to collaborate on issues of common concern such as labour rights, regional economic integration, and the protection of workers who cross borders in search of decent work.
We call on all workers, communities, and political formations to reject xenophobia and narrow nationalism. African workers share a common history of struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and exploitation. Our strength lies in our unity, not in turning against one another.
Government must urgently intervene
The NUM calls on the government to urgently address the critical issue of South Africa's porous borders to restore order and national security. Lack of control on our boarders reduces us to Banana country and perpetuate our challenges.
We acknowledge that the grievances and concerns raised by the marchers are out of frustration as a result of challenges faced by the Country. Issues such as the high rate of unemployment and persistent crime continue to severely affect South African communities. Lack of service delivery and continues decline of resources for survival impact negatively on our society. We cannot put blame on our fellow African sisters and Brothers for the failures of the Government.
The Government has a duty to respond to these concerns with the urgency and seriousness they deserve, through decisive policy interventions and effective implementation.
The NUM calls on the authorities to engage constructively with citizens, strengthen border management, enforce immigration laws fairly, and priorities job creation and crime-fighting measures to build a more secure and prosperous South Africa for all who abide by its laws.
We further appeal to our members and all progressive forces to promote tolerance, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence in the workplaces and communities where we live and work.
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International-Solidarity
NUM send condolences to families of China mineworkers who died last week Friday
Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 28 May 2026
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) extends its deepest condolences to people of chine and the families of the Chinese mineworkers who tragically lost their lives last week Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, the heart of China's huge mining industry.
Guided by the principles of international solidarity, the NUM remain firm in its belief that one worker’s death is one too many.
We are hopeful that the investigation into the deaths of those 82 Chinese coal miners will be done and justice will prevail for the families that lost the loved ones including for us mineworkers across the world.
We call upon mining companies to observe all occupational health and safety laws and Governments to ensure enforcement and compliance.
As the union we are deeply concern about the death toll of mineworkers in various countries; mining companies and Governments seem to not value life of mineworkers. Fundamentals and key responsibilities of employers outlined by ILO conventions are not respected and not implemented by many of mining houses across the world. Life of mineworkers matters too – profit must never be priorities over our life.
We are deeply saddened by this disaster and we therefore send our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wish speedy recovery to the injured workers.
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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