Taking COSATU Today Forward, 2 June 2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU is participating at the #ILO International Labour Conference underway in Geneva #ILC2026 #ClassWar #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
2 June 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth rejects baseless allegations, affirms full legal compliance in Acting Director-General Appointment
- South Africa
- COSATU urges further Fuel Levy relief to cushion workers and the economy from the massive fuel price hikes
- Mineral and Petroleum Resources announces adjustment of fuel prices effective from 3 June 2026
- President Cyril Ramaphosa receives second interim report of Madlanga Commission
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- WFTU Program of Activities in the 114th ILC, Geneva 01-12 June 2026
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth rejects baseless allegations, affirms full legal compliance in Acting Director-General Appointment
02 June 2026
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Nomakhosazana Meth firmly rejects the misleading allegations and incorrect assertions contained in the mainstream and social media regarding the appointment of the Acting Director-General. These claims are factually incorrect, legally misconstrued, and based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the applicable public service legislative framework, including the Public Service Act, 1994, and the Public Service Regulations, 2016, as published in 2022 by the DPSA.
The appointment was made strictly within the bounds of the law. In terms of section 3(7)(b) of the Public Service Act, the Minister, as Executive Authority, is empowered to exercise all necessary functions relating to recruitment, appointment, and other career-related matters of departmental employees. In addition, Regulation 57(2)(b) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016, explicitly permits the appointment of personnel additional to the approved establishment for a period not exceeding 12 months where operational requirements justify such action.
The decision to appoint Ms Molisane on a six-month fixed-term contract therefore falls squarely within this legal framework and does not constitute any irregular deviation from prescribed processes.
It is important to correct the misrepresentation that temporary appointments of this nature require the approval of the DPSA, public advertisement or a competitive recruitment process. The applicable regulations do not impose such requirements for short-term appointments made to address urgent operational needs.
The narrative advanced in the media and social media incorrectly conflates different legal mechanisms, including for secondments, acting appointments, and fixed-term contracts, each of which is governed by distinct provisions. These mechanisms exist precisely to allow departments to respond efficiently to operational demands and to ensure continuity of governance and service delivery.
The appointment in question was necessitated by clear and pressing operational considerations. The Department required immediate executive leadership to stabilise its operations during a period of institutional transition, support ongoing reforms, including the unbundling of key entities, and address a critical executive-level capacity gap pending the completion of the permanent Director-General recruitment process. In these circumstances, the law expressly provides for interim administrative arrangements in the public interest, and the Minister acted accordingly within the scope of her lawful authority.
The Minister categorically rejects any suggestion that public service rules were bypassed or manipulated to favour any individual. Such allegations are baseless and unsupported by the facts. The appointment was informed by the appointee's academic qualifications, demonstrated capability, extensive experience, institutional knowledge, and deep understanding of the labour and governance environment, all of which are critical for ensuring stability and effective leadership during a complex transition period.
“This appointment was made in full compliance with the law and in the best interest of ensuring stability, continuity, and effective leadership within the Department during a critical period. We will not allow misinformation to undermine the integrity of lawful government processes or the confidence of the public in our institutions," said the Minister of Employment and Labour.
The Department remains fully committed to lawful, transparent, and accountable governance. The process to appoint a permanent Director-General is ongoing and will be finalised in full compliance with the provisions of the Public Service Act, including the requirements governing permanent appointments.
The Minister cautions against the publication and circulation of speculative or legally unfounded claims presented as fact, including through social media. This is particularly important where such claims risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of public institutions and besmirching the names of competent professionals.
As it stands, the Department has not received any correspondence from either the Public Service Commission or the Public Protector alerting us to a complaint or an investigation into the allegations being made. The Department recommits its availability and willingness to participate in any investigation by a competent authority and will do so when formally informed.
The Ministry calls on media practitioners and stakeholders to engage responsibly, verify facts against the applicable legal framework, and uphold the principles of accurate and ethical reporting. The Department remains available to provide clarity and engage constructively to ensure that public discourse is informed, balanced, and grounded in facts.
ENDS//
Media enquiries:
Ms. Thobeka Magcai, Ministry Spokesperson. Email: Thobeka...@Labour.gov.za 072 737 2205.
Issued by: MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU urges further Fuel Levy relief to cushion workers and the economy from the massive fuel price hikes
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 01 June 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges government to provide further Fuel Levy relief to cushion embattled workers and the economy from the massive fuel price hikes that have wreaked havoc since the commencement of the war in the Persian Gulf.
Whilst we appreciate the modest initial decrease in diesel prices due to come into effect, a further rise in petrol prices will be yet another painful blow that millions of struggling workers and commuters, and an already stagnant economy stuck at anemic 1% growth, simply cannot afford.
We fear that workers, society and the economy will not cope with the planned end in the fuel levy relief in July if international oil and fuel prices continue to remain abnormally high and even rise. Oil and fuel supplies and prices may also take some time to return to pre-war levels even once the war ends.
Diesel is critical for the public and private transport that workers depend upon as is paraffin for millions of working-class families. Workers who are already drowning in debt, supporting up to seven relatives each and spending an average of 40% of their meagre wages on transport; will not be able to continue to survive such steep petrol, diesel, gas and paraffin price prices.
The most important source of relief for workers, society and the economy, is to maintain the fuel levy relief whilst oil and fuel prices remain high. This is the most impactful and cost-effective solution to this global crisis. Additional relief should be sought by making public transport more affordable to commuters.
It is critical that the Reserve Bank spare society further pain by not increasing the repo rate as this source of inflation is external and not domestic driven. Workers’ meagre wages must be protected from further bleeding.
The private sector must end its investment strike and contribute towards an economic and social relief package to kickstart a stagnant economy and give hope to an under-siege working class. Government with the support of public and private financial institutions must put in place a bold stimulus package to kickstart an under-siege economy.
COSATU will continue to engage government on a package of bold, progressive and decisive measures to cushion workers, the poor and the economy from this global crisis.
Issued by COSATU
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Mineral and Petroleum Resources announces adjustment of fuel prices effective from 3 June 2026
01 Jun 2026
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Announces Adjustment of Fuel Prices effective From the 3rd of June 2026
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources hereby announces the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from the 3rd of June 2026.
South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors. International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs, e.g., shipping costs.
The
main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to:
1. Crude oil prices
The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 101 US Dollars (USD) to 104.59 USD during the period under review. This is due to the continued tension between the US and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
2. International petroleum product prices
The average international product prices decreased during the period under review. The prices of middle distillates (diesel and paraffin) decreased more than petrol prices because of lower seasonal demand as the northern hemisphere moves into summer. These factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 30.42 cents per litre (c/l), R5.42 per litre and R5.82 per litre, respectively. The prices of Propane and Butane Media Statement – Fuel Price Adjustments for June 2026 remained the same during the period under review, however, the freight costs decreased.
3. Rand/US Dollar exchange rate
The Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 16.65 to 16.52 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to slightly lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 12.07 c/l, 14.81 c/l and 14.55 c/l respectively.
4. Implementation of the Slate Levy
The cumulative slate amounted to a negative balance of R18.28 billion for petrol and diesel of at the end of April 2026. In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy of 157.74 c/l will be implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 3rd of June 2026. The Slate Levy has increased by 35.04 cents per litre from 122.70 to 157.74 cents per litre.
5. Short-term Relief Measure to Address Fuel Price Increases
In line with the announcement by the Minister of Finance, the amount of general fuel levy relief has accordingly been reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel, effective from Wednesday the 3rd of June 2026 to Tuesday 30th of June 2026.
6. The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) for LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape province.
The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R18 228.05 per metric ton and R40.65 per kilogram, respectively, effective from the 3rd of June 2026 Media Statement – Fuel Price Adjustments for June 2026 Page 3
Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): One hundred and forty-three cents per litre (143.00 c/l) increase.
Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): One hundred and forty-three cents per litre (143.00 c/l) increase.
Diesel (0.05% sulphur): Three hundred and twenty-four point nine six cents per litre (324.96 c/l) decrease.
Diesel (0.005% sulphur): Two hundred and sixty-one point nine six cents per litre (261.96 c/l) decrease.
Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): Five hundred and ninety-six cents per litre (596.00 c/l) decrease.
SMNRP for IP: Seven hundred and ninety-five cents per litre (795.00 c/l) decrease.
Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: Seventeen per kilogram (17.00 c/kg) decrease and twenty cents per kilogram (20.00 c/kg) decrease in the Western Cape.
Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for June 2026 will be adjusted as follows:
The fuel prices schedule for the different Magisterial District Zones (MDZ) will be published on Tuesday, the 2nd of June 2026.
Enquiries: medi...@dmpr.gov.za
Ms
Yolanda Mhlathi
Cell: 067 258 1122
E-mail: yolanda...@dmpr.gov.za
Mr
Johannes Mokobane
Cell: 082 766 3674
E-mail: johannes...@dmpr.gov.za
Ms
Lerato Ntsoko
Cell: 082 459 2788
E-mail: lerato...@dmpr.gov.za
Issued by Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
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President Cyril Ramaphosa receives second interim report of Madlanga Commission
30 May 2026
President Cyril Ramaphosa received, on Friday, 29 May 2026, the second interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
President Ramaphosa established the Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, in July 2025.
President Ramaphosa will study the latest report while the Commission continues its proceedings.
President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the Commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution.
Media
enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Spokesperson
to the President
E-mail: me...@presideny.gov.za
Issued by The Presidency
International-Solidarity
WFTU Program of Activities in the 114th ILC, Geneva 01-12 June 2026
by WFTU HQ, 27 May 2026
WFTU Preparatory Meeting (May 31, 2026, Time: 11:00 – 13:30 at the CICG – Room B (RUE DE VAREMBÉ 17, 1202 GENÈVE)
First Side-Event: WFTU Informal Presidential Council – Meeting of Members and Friends (June 8, 2026, at 11:00 – 13:30 / Room V)
Second Side Event: “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand” (June 9, 2026 at 11:00 – 13:30 / Room: ILO Auditorium)
The WFTU General Secretary’s speech in the ILC plenary, Monday, 08 Jun 2026, in the afternoon sitting
Address by the Deputy General Secretary of TUI Pensioners in the ILC Plenary, Tuesday, 9 June 2026, during the afternoon sitting.
TUI Pensioners Side Event: “The Contemporary Challenges of Pensioners and the Role of the Class-Oriented Trade Union Movement” (June 10, 2026, Time: 13:00–15:00 / ILO Auditorium)
*Please note that this program is subject to continuous updates
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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