The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] condemns in strongest possible terms the reckless and insensitive comments made by the ANC National Spokesperson, Pule Mabe in relation to non-salary payments of ANC staff who happen to be members of the union. 

These comments were made on the sidelines of the ANC Presidential Gala Dinner held last night when he was interviewed by SABC Journalist Mzwandile Mbeje on the issue of late payment of salaries. Mabe asserted that the ANC is not a bank robber nor running a cash-in-transit but relies on donations to run the organisation. In the process, he dismally failed to give an assurance on the salary payment to workers.

As NEHAWU, we are angered by the fact that the National Spokesperson does not value the plight of our members and workers of the ANC when those keeping the organisation afloat are not paid and are mis-treated by the organisation. If Mabe was conscious of the plight of our members and workers of the ANC, he would not be dining and intoxicating himself at the Presidential Gala Dinner whilst workers are not paid.

Mabe as a National Executive Committee [NEC] member and staff of the ANC should be ashamed in the manner the organisation has trampled on the rights of our workers. The ANC has indeed violated the basic conditions of the employment by not remunerating workers, contributing to the medical aid and fully paying provident fund. He should hang his head in shame for uttering reckless and insensitive comments whilst workers are struggling to survive as a result of the treatment by the ANC.

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Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969; Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za