SAMWU Highveld Region Post REC Statement

26 April 2022

SAMWU Highveld Region Post REC Statement

SAMWU Highveld Region convened a watershed extended REC Meeting in Victor Khanye Local on 22/02/2022, after emerging from a progressive Regional Shopstewards virtual induction on 19/04/2022. The REC collective received full comprehensive reports from the Regional Office Bearers, which were discussed and engaged to the latter as follows:

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

The REC after receiving the full report and the frank, deep and fruitful penetrative engagements amongst the collective resolved and applauded the work of the ROB to convene constituency meetings in Steve Tshwete during the week of 10th May 2022.

The REC reiterated the constitutional fact and principle that SAMWU is a worker-controlled union which inherently requires the union to be mandated by the shopfloor in its actions and decisions. The REC resolved without fear nor favour that the SAMWU constitution must be followed to the latter to restore normality in the Local of SAMWU, inclusive of the rank and file in the form of the overall SAMWU Membership. The REC further condemned any acts of criminality, inclusive of the unfortunate burning of assets which affected workers in the Municipality.

Dr JS Moroka Municipality

The REC received a detailed briefing from the ROB on the developments of Dr JS Moroka, taking into account that the matters are sub-judice, as they must be finalised at the provincial level and be properly subjected to the wisdom of the PEC collective as required by the SAMWU constitution.

The REC further resolved that the union shall continue to rebuild, renew and unite as mandated by the SAMWU National Conference held in Mafikeng. However, such a rebuilding and renewal process requires that every SAMWU member must still adhere to the constitution of SAMWU in their conduct and practice. Elements of ill-discipline would not be tolerated anywhere they attempt to rise/arise in the Region and the union structures will promptly act accordingly without fear, favour nor prejudice to restore conformity to the SAMWU constitution, because the application of the SAMWU constitution is peremptory within the structures.

Regional Disciplinary Committee (RDC)

The REC received reports from the ROB which recommended comrades for the establishment of the RDC. The REC unanimously resolved on the following comrades for the establishment of the RDC:
a. cde Mvangeli Mthimunye
b. cde Joe Phiri
c. cde Tshephang Langa
d. cde Thabo Thwala
e. cde Amos Magoro

Regional Case Management Pool

The REC resolved that each local shall be represented in the Regional Case Management pool sub-committee as part of the plethora of programmes of going back to basics to capacitate and develop the 2nd and 3rd layer of Leadership that will be properly prepared to deal with current and future worker battles.

Union Education, Skills & Capacity Building

The REC applauded the excellent work done by the ROB to train and induct the Shopstewards without fail and further reiterated their sober posture that SAMWU Highveld Region must unapologetically and consistently be characterised by ideas, programmes and activities, rather than personalities by unanimously resolving amongst others on the following additional programmes and activities for implementation:

a. Case Management Training
b. Essential Service Training
c. Regional collective Bargaining Conference
d. 2nd Local Labour Forum Training
e. Founding President Petrus Mashishi Memorial Lecture

ANC Nkangala Regional Conference

SAMWU as a majority union and an eloquent mouthpiece of Municipal Workers in the Local Government terrain, congratulates the newly elected officials and the entire REC collective of the ANC in Nkangala Region led by the new chairperson cde Thomas Ngwenya and new Secretary cde Sello Matshoga. SAMWU is equally very proud of one of its own product and Leaders emerging as part of the REC collective in the form of the Local Chairperson of Nkangala, SAMWU and COSATU Provincial Gender Secretary cde Millicent Shabangu. The SAMWU that we know of Founding President cde Petrus Mashishi is a factory of Leadership.

SAMWU is looking forward to work with the new REC collective in this day and age of a complex Local Government characterised by political parties co-alitions and Municipal workers grievances and disputes needing their conscious attention. SAMWU hopes to work with the new ANC Regional Leadership to ensure Local Government lives up to its Constitutional objectives and plays without fail its developmental role as required by the White Paper of Local Government, 1998.

SAMWU Highveld Region equally congratulates its Regional Secretary cde Tshephang Langa for living up to the union pillars of Union work and Skills Development by leading by example and Graduating with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Labour Law from University of Johannesburg. The first duty of a Revolutionary is to be educated.

COSATU May Day Celebrations

SAMWU Highveld Region encourages SAMWU Members in their majority to join the COSATU May day celebrations in Emalahleni-Puma Stadium.

Issued by SAMWU Highveld Region

Tshephang Langa
Regional Secretary
078 075 5975

Or

Beauty Nkosi
Deputy Regional Secretary
072 526 4967