The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North-West province notes with concern the changes effected to the provincial executive by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi on Wednesday, 12 August.

COSATU in the province acknowledges and appreciates the fact that the Premier has the necessary legislative powers to effect changes to the provincial executive of government. We are especially concerned about the changes that have been effected in the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA).

There is an ongoing process involving former employees of Atamelang Bus Service and the Ikhwezi which is trading as NMM Bus Service.

We trust that the change of political leadership of COSATMA and especially the return of the Head of Department, Mr Kekana, will not derail an already progressing process. Instead, we welcome MEC Tsotso and hope to continue with her where MEC Morweng left off since they are both from the same governing party in the province.

We are looking forward to continuing seamlessly with the ongoing process of ensuring that the former employees of Atamelang Bus Service are employed by the new bus company as already agreed.

Failure to continue as agreed will not just be a slap in the face of these workers but it will also be an insult to COSATU in the province.

For more information, please contact the COSATU North-West Provincial Secretary, Kabelo Kgoro, 067 410 4696