SAMWU Disturbed by Privatisation Plans

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) is disturbed by National Treasury's plans to privatise certain state assets so to raise funds for the state power utility Eskom. 

In an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene reaffirmed his department's commitment to sell "non-strategic" state assets in a bid to fundraise for Eskom. The whole of the country including SAMWU is affected by the Eskom woes. We are however opposed to any move that would fundraise through privatisation of state assets. In what seems to be a deceptive move by National Treasury to conceal its intentions, it has failed to clarify what is deems to be "non-strategic" and which of these will be sold and the price thereof.

We are convinced that the minister made such an undertaking to please the capitalist elite at the World Economic Forum. SAMWU is of the view that such a platform is and has never been in the interest of developing countries. We are further concerned that developing countries including our own continue to participate in these types of meetings with the fore knowledge that their interest would not be taken into account.

We believe that this neo-liberal move by National Treasury is inspired by the National Development Plan which contradicts the Freedom Charter. When delivering this year's January 8 Statement, President Zuma gave marching orders that this year would be the year of Freedom Charter. The Freedom Charter states that "the people shall share in the country's wealth". We firmly believe that this move by National Treasury is not in line with the Freedom Charter as it seeks to deprive South Africans of the country's resources. 

Compounding to our concerns is City of Tshwane's plans to sell what it calls "strategic land parcels" at auction to fundraise R500 million for projects. Land redistribution has been moving in a snail-pace while our people continue to be landless. This is also another deviation from the Freedom Charter. We urge the City of Tshwane to desist from moves that will render the people of Tshwane dissidents and foreigners in their own land. . In celebrating the 60 years of the Freedom Charter, we should not be selective on issues but implement the Freedom Charter in its entirety.

Statement issued by Papikie Mohale, National Media Officer, South African Municipal Workers' Union, January 23 2015

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