SAMWU Limpopo distances itself from allegations of tribalism

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the Limpopo Province wishes to distance itself from the comment made to the Sowetan newspaper dated 04 May 2012, by one of our branch leaders in Mopani District Municipality (see here).

In the article under the heading " SAMWU accuses Mopani of 'tribal' recruitment", it is alleged that the Union wants the Municipality to appoint a Tsonga-speaking person to the position of Municipal Manager. The article further quotes the branch leader stating that "It is wrong that the Municipality is now run by a Pedi-speaking Municipal Manager and a Pedi-speaking Mayor. It is also painful that the same Municipality had a Chief Financial Officer, Technical Director and Corporate Services Director who are all Pedi-speaking....."

SAMWU is a Municipal Trade Union representing members from all walks of life. The Union would therefore want to distance itself from any comment or statement that seeks to characterize our society on the basis of colour, gender and or of a tribal background.

We are calling on the leadership and membership of SAMWU in the province to steer away from the politics of tribalism as it can work against our unity as a Union and a society. We are also calling on the leadership and membership of SAMWU Mopani branch to remain united and focused in support of the ongoing talks between the Union and management, to ensure that their legitimate demands are addressed.

Our Union will always fight for the appointment of well deserving and qualified Municipal personnel irrespective of colour, gender and or tribal background.

It should therefore be put on record that the comments made to the Sowetan do not constitute our policy.

SAMWU, as an affiliate of COSATU, is part of the progressive forces of the national democratic revolution whose objective is the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

Statement issued SAMWU Limpopo Provincial Secretary, Simon Mathe, May 7 2012

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