A call to order in the relationship between the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal Province and the progressive trade union movement in the public sector

Friday, 26 July 2024: The South African Communist Party in Moses Mabhida Province is worried about public spats that recently emerged between the Provincial Secretary of the ANC and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, Nehawu. This is an unfortunate and regrettable exchange of words particularly after emerging from a disastrous and embarrassing ANC electoral performance in the province, KwaZulu-Natal.

The allegations levelled against Nehawu by the ANC Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo are shocking, unfortunate and tantamount to accusing Nehawu of committing crimes against humanity.

The ANC's decline in the elections was, among others, a backlash against the ANC, the governing party, especially its mishandling of labour matters. The ANC-led government is known for championing progressive labour laws.

We call on the ANC in the province to return to collaboration with the progressive trade union movement. Collaboration of the ANC government with Nehawu to bring about meaningful radical transformation in matters of governance has been revolutionary. A milestone product of this collaboration is the recent passing of the National Health Insurance Act that will lift the lives of many South Africans to greater heights.

Unfortunately, the ANC Provincial Secretary's utterances, by implication, attribute every failure or lack of public service delivery, including its consequences, to trade unions in the sector, presumably being one responsible for workers' lack of performance and efficiency. It is undeniable that austerity measures, adopted by the ANC-led government, have caused multiple-crises in the workplaces driving divisions and antagonism between the workers and their employers.

Thousands of vacancies remain unfilled, overburdening workers and turning them into modern day slaves. The government as the employer cannot be exonerated, especially at the expense of workers.

The SACP warned the ANC-led government about this neo-liberal economic trajectory and its harsh economic and political consequences.

The Party hopes this is not an indication of what should be expected in the relationship between unions and the "Government of Provincial Unity" (GPU).

The SACP also appeals to Nehawu and all healthcare workers not to be demoralised or discouraged in serving the people with commitment and dignity.

There must be a fierce resistance to any derailment of progressive and revolutionary collaboration between the trade union and the ANC in bringing about radical transformation in the lives of our people for their wellbeing and they must always thrive for the better. Workers' struggles cannot be undermined by anyone and workers equally have the right to rise in the defence of gains made over the years under the ANC government which historically remained biased towards the workers.

We call on the leadership of the ANC and Cde Mtolo in particular to concentrate on rebuilding the people's movement and revive it from the embarrassing electoral defeat never experienced under any leadership, save his.

Contact:

Cde Themba Mthembu - Provincial Secretary - 083 303 6988
Cde Mathews Ndlovu - 1st Deputy Provincial Secretary - 082 336 9245
Cde Bheki Shandu - 2nd Deputy Provincial Secretary - 073 900 6800
(Spokesperson)

Issued by the South African Communist Party,
Founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa.

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