NEHAWU CALLS FOR THE REMOVAL OF WILLIE HOFMEYER AS THE HEAD OF SIU
NEHAWU, the union representing over 70% of employees at the Special Investigating Unit {SIU} has been over the last 18months engaged in discussions with the management of SIU to try and resolve a myriad of issues affecting our members at the agency. On Thursday 01st September 2011 we convened a meeting of all our members who work for the SIU and a unanimous decision was taken that Mr Willie Hofmeyer must go as he has failed to transform the agency.
Unfortunately, despite our positive discussions with the management there has been little progress in resolving these unacceptable and intolerable problems that have left our members disillusioned and feeling under siege. The management has dismally failed to implement all of the agreements entered into with the union, thus leaving us with no other choice but to declare a dispute
At the top of all our members problems at SIU has been the management's failure to transform the agency from a "lily white" agency to the one that is representative of all races especially at a senior management level.
The union has repeatedly asked the SIU management to address the following issues:
- Victimisation of union leaders in the workplace
- Failure to implement PSCBC resolutions
- Career pathing and skills development.
- Salary grading
- Lack of Employment Equity policy.
Absorption of temporary workers into permanent positions.
This failure to implement these standing agreements and the forced resignations of a number of black managers is something that we find intolerable as a union. Unfortunately this has led to a total breakdown of relations between Mr Hofmeyer and the workers. The latest case is the forced removal of Ms Nyathi who was hounded out of the agency recently. We demand the immediate reinstatement of these workers and we reiterate our call for the investigation of allegations of financial mismanagement at the SIU.
The biggest problem why most of these issues are not resolved is because the SIU Head, Willie Hofmeyer does not spend sufficient time in SIU as he is also Head of the Assert Forfeiture unit under NPA. We also demand that an independent person be appointed to investigate the allegations of corruption that have been levelled against Willie Hofmeyer.
NEHAWU has continuously promised that it is totally committed to fighting corruption and nepotism in the public service and anywhere in society. We are committed to a strong and representative SIU with a leader who will not be sidetracked by other things.
NEHAWU wants to reiterate that we are not trying to tarnish the name of Mr Willie Hofmeyer and are not questioning his credibility but the breakdown on relations and the fact that he has not enough time for SIU.We therefore call for the country's President, Jacob Zuma to remove him as the Head of SIU.
Statement issued by Sizwe Pamla, NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer, September 7 2011
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