The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has been made aware of false claims by Central News, an online news site, alleging that the Federation is in discussions with government on a contribution holiday for the Government Employees’ Pension Fund (GEPF). 

No proposals nor discussions on a GEPF contribution holiday have taken place as part of engagements on the 2026/27 Budget, the public service wage agreement or the current impasse with regards to the Government Employee Medical Scheme (GEMS) planned members’ premium hike.

It is deeply concerning that the article claims to have interviewed COSATU officials when no such interviews or even requests for comment have occurred. 

The article appears to have been entirely generated by artificial intelligence and based upon old articles from previous years and budget engagements.

COSATU has attempted to contact Central News but received no response from their cellphone (which provides a message that it does not exist) nor their email addresses.

The Federation will be reporting this “news site” to the Press Ombudsperson for breach of the Press Code and action.  In the era of fake news sites, it will be critical for the Press Ombudsperson to apply much greater scrutiny to platforms claiming to be legitimate news sites.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za