In a battle of “Nehawu versus Nehawu”, various local branches regard the suspension of regional and branch office-bearers as an “orchestrated witch-hunt” to prevent them from contesting for their positions during the regional conference that ends on Tuesday.
IN A BATTLE of “Nehawu versus Nehawu”, the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture branch, as well as the West End specialised hospital and Kimberley mental hospital branches, regard the suspension of regional and branch office-bearers as an “orchestrated witch-hunt” to prevent them from contesting for their positions during the regional conference that ends on Tuesday.
It was reported that physical fights broke out on Monday while the conference was under way.
The Nehawu regional chairperson, Isaac Shuping, West End specialist hospital branch secretary Michael Tong and deputy branch secretary Bothata Ntlhelang were charged with influencing the appointment of their family members into positions at the Department of Health on July 27, shortly before the conference was scheduled to take place on August 7 to 8.
Letters were sent to the Nehawu general secretary, provincial secretary and acting regional secretary by the branches on August 3 voicing their concerns.
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture Nehawu branch secretary Moses Vorster believed that Shuping had spearheaded a very successful public service delivery campaign.
“Shuping was vocal in calling for the suspension of three chief directors at the department who were implicated in allegations of corruption, maladministration and financial misconduct. We believe he was sold out,” said Vorster.
He added that he was in possession of a voice note between regional and branch leaders who discussed a predetermined outcome of who should be elected into the regional leadership.
“The timing of the suspensions are suspicious and are intended to prevent them from contesting the regional conference, especially since the so-called grievances date back to 2022.”
The chairperson of the West End specialised hospital branch, Tebogo Seleka, pointed out that union members were only observers on interview panels and did not have any powers to make appointments.
“Recruitment and selection is the job of the employer.”
He refuted claims made that union members had resigned after allegations of nepotism were levelled at their branch office-bearers.
“To our surprise, we have not seen a single resignation form to date.”
Seleka stated that the Sol Plaatje University branch was disbanded without due reason.
“This was done to prevent the current leadership from being re-elected.”
Nehawu general secretary Zola Saphetha referred media enquiries to the provincial secretary, who at the time of publication had not provided any comment.
