The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Eastern Cape province joins the mass democratic movement structures in the province in mourning the death of our Comrade Lizo Vakala. Cde Vakala’s body was discovered in Gqeberha on the 25th October after he went missing on 22nd October. Cde Vakala was at the time of his death, NEHAWU Deputy Provincial Chairperson in the Eastern Cape. 

As SAMWU, we wish to convey our sincere condolences to the Vakala family, his colleagues and our sister union NEHAWU which he belonged to. We understand that there are no words that could bring Cde Vakala back, we however hope that they will find comfort in knowing that workers and the working class in the province are too, mourning the passing of Cde Vakala who dedicated much of his time to advance the interests of communities and workers in the province. 

We have also learned that the death of Cde Vakala appears to have been a murder. As SAMWU, we condemn the killing of Cde Vakala and further call for law enforcement agencies in the province to leave no stone unturned as they seek to bring to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime which has robbed the Vakala family of a provider and working class of a dedicated and selfless servant. 

We also thank the Vakala family for having have borrowed Cde Vakala to the working class in the province. He was an individual who stood for, and advocated for the workers and communities in the province. He wanted to see tangible changes in the lives of all workers hence his devotion and commitment to the trade union movement for over 30 years. 

SAMWU will work the alliance partners in the province to preserve the memory of Cde Vakala for many years to come. As workers in the province, we need to emulate the persona of Cde Vakala particularly given the war that has been waged on workers by employers both in the public and private sectors. In honouring and preserving the memory of Cde Vakala, workers should be united in the fight that lays ahead. 

We once more send our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Vakala familily. May his revolutionary and selfless spirit rest in peace. 

Issued by SAMWU Eastern Cape 

Yalezo Luzuko 

Provincial Secretary 

071 628 7586

Or 

Lorna Lubedu

Deputy Provincial Secretary 

071 900 5014