The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Gauteng is disappointed and dismayed by the media onslaught and attack on the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and the Premier of Gauteng.

The story by Kempton Express accusing GPG of misleading statements on the 13 reinstated employees of the Department of Social Development (DSD) is a spit in the face of workers and trade unions that represented these workers particularly, our Affiliate the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and the Public Service Association. These attacks are nothing but a reflection of a consolidated right-wing project hellbent on destructing the only provincial government that excludes the Democratic Alliance.

For the record for those lie peddlers, faceless whistleblowers and those who hate trade unions, NEHAWU represented its members, some of whom were suspended for more than 12 months. This victory cannot be attributed to the cover-up by the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. This victory is owed to a formidable trade union whose ultimate role is to defend members. It must not be misconstrued and tilted towards vilifying the Premier of Gauteng.

COSATU in Gauteng will continue to hold those deployed in government accountable and call for transparency, but we have no appetite to stomach the attitudes of provocateurs, who hate the working class to such an extent that they assassinate the character of the GPG and its leader by using workers who have suffered for more than 12 months.

COSATU welcomes the reinstatement of the DSD 13, and we will stand by their side no matter what. We therefore call for an investigation of the so-called whistleblowers who leak the private information of workers to advance a right-wing agenda against the working class and their leaders. We have recently met with the MEC of Social Development to discuss the gravity of challenges faced by the department and we are committed to working together to stabilise the Department.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Chairperson (Amos Monyela): 079 493 5002Provincial Secretary (Louisah Modikwe): 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659