Nehawu members burn T-shirts in leadership protest

NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) members at the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture set their T-shirts on fire to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the leadership.

The members said that the regional and provincial leaders were meeting with the HOD of the department without the knowledge or involvement of the branch leadership, which has since been disbanded.

“Around 150 members will be terminating their membership and joining the Public Servants Association (PSA). The leadership must go - they sold us out behind our backs and disbanded the branch executive committee (BEC) without reason or notice,” they stated.

They further claimed that three Nehawu members, including branch leaders, were not initially granted union representation during their disciplinary hearings.

These members were charged with misconduct and embarking on industrial action, emanating from a protest that was staged in Kimberley in 2023 after they implicated the chief financial officer, the chief director of corporate services and the chief director of the service delivery programme for the mismanagement of public funds relating to the Umsobomvu festival that failed to take place in Colesberg on December 16, 2016.

The branch leadership was unhappy with the “soft-handed” approach of the department, where no action was taken against the officials.

Nehawu provincial secretary Moleme Moleme stated that he was not aware of the imminent resignation of 150 members.

“Our regional structure has not received any cancellations. In the event that we receive such, we will engage our members to rid them of the misinformation campaign by a certain clique and provide clarity. Our region is on the ground to resolve members’ grievances and establish a BEC. This to improve organising and servicing of members in the workplace,” said Moleme.

He believed the alleged discontent was being “manufactured by disgruntled elements” intent on misleading members.

“The majority of our members are not participating in these regressive actions. Our members were incited by a cabal of agent provocateurs who disrupted our general members meeting on Tuesday. We call on our members to distance themselves from disgraceful and rowdy individuals.”

Moleme stated that the burning of T-shirts was unfortunate and pointed to ill-discipline.

“We know the architect of this counter-revolutionary behaviour. We will continue to provide clarity to members of the union.”

Moleme explained that the BEC was removed - unopposed - at a branch general meeting for failing to meet members’ demands. “The decision was ratified by the regional executive committee in August,” he said.

He noted that the leadership was adhering to collective bargaining principles and union policies.

“The BEC has been meeting with the premier, MEC, and HOD at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, without providing a report to the region. As a provincial office, we represent all structures of the union in the Province and report to the provincial executive committee (PEC). The claims that we meet without them are unfounded and malicious.”

Moleme added that union representation was provided to Isaac Shuping, Moses Voster and Gladys Morkens during their disciplinary hearings.

“This is despite the abuse and at times nauseating insults that were hurled at our regional secretary organiser and paralegal team led by the provincial paralegal officer. The team has continued to render exceptional service to these members and will continue to do so at the next sitting scheduled for November 12-14.”

He emphasised that Nehawu remains at the forefront of the fight against corruption both in the public and private sectors.