COSATU media statement, 11 October 2013
E-tolls
The Congress of South African Trade Unions reaffirms that the Supreme Court's dismissal of OUTA's bid to stop the implementation of e-tolls on Gauteng highways will make no difference to COSATU's unwavering campaign against this attempt to privatise out public highways, which was never primarily based on the legality of the tolls but on a fundamental political principle - that our roads are a public asset, already paid for through taxation and the fuel levy, and motorists should not therefore have to pay again to drive on these public highways.
The COSATU Socio-economic Commission is meeting today to resolve on a national day of action against e-tolls, and for better fully integrated public transport.
NUM support
A special meeting in Rustenburg on 10 October 2013 of the COSATU National Office Bearers and affiliates leadership, agreed to strengthen the federation's campaign in support and defence of the National Union of Mineworkers.
The meeting also condemned the continuing high levels of violence in the Rustenburg area and the slow pace of police investigations and arrests. While noting that the SAPS have made over 570 arrests, the speed at which the law is being enforced is unacceptably low. It is urgent to end the climate of impunity in the area and to demonstrate - with arrests, prosecutions and harsh sentences - that violent crime will not be tolerated.
The meeting also condemned the excessively slow progress being made by the Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the events on and before the Marikana massacre on 16 August 2012.
Special Congress
COSATU condemns the leaking of a letter send by its President to affiliates' leaders about the federation's special National Congress (see below), and the distortion of the contents by some in the media. The Sowetan, for example, makes the totally false statement that the president has "acceded" to a special congress and "has bowed to pressure from affiliates."
Employment Tax Incentive Bill
COSATU is to make a submission to parliament on the Employment Tax Incentive Bill which was published by the National Treasury on 20 September 2013. The federation is angry that the measures proposed in the bill were not raised at either the Alliance or Nedlac Summits, and insists that it must be thoroughly discussed in Nedlac.
The Bill includes proposals which are virtually the same as the Youth Wage Subsidy, to which COSATU remains adamantly opposed.
Labour broking
COSATU remains fundamentally opposed to labour brokers and regrets that the government still want the form of human trafficking to be legal for up to three months. There will be a day of mass action within the next few weeks in support for the federations' call for a total ban on this practice
Letter dated 08th October 2013
To: COSATU Affiliates
COSATU Provinces
Attention: General Secretaries
Provincial Secretaries
Dear Comrades
Request for a Special National Congress
It is almost 3 weeks since the September 2013 COSATU Central Executive Committee received a report in the request for a Special National Congress.
The CEC noted also that the report also gave the guidelines to the COSATU President in carrying out this task as directed by the COSATU Constitution.
Firstly, as COSATU President, I want to place on record that the COSATU Constitution is very clear on what is expected of the COSATU President in executing his duties in terms of clause 3.3.2 of the Constitution.
Secondly, I want to emphasise my commitment to respect and uphold the COSATU Constitution at all times. I am also equally committed to implement the COSATU CEC decision whenever I am directed to do so.
Thirdly, I understand the mandate that I was given at the previous CEC and I am committed to convene the Special National Congress as directed to do so.
Fourthly, since that CEC, I have engaged the National Treasurer, comrade Freda Oosthuysen, to determine the available resources to take the work forward. I have also approached a few people for possible funding of the Special National Congress.
In a few days time, I will be in a position to assess the nature of our resources and the need and extent for additional funding for the convening of a Special National Congress.
Fifthly, I have instructed the Secretariat to enquire about the availability of venues that are capable of accommodating the number of delegates that normally attend a COSATU Congress, possible date, and the number of days needed to hold such an event. I am expecting to receive such information within the next few days.
Sixthly, I need to remind all comrades that this is not the first time that COSATU has had to convene a Special National Congress. There are issues that have to be considered when such a meeting has to be convened. The September 2013 CEC highlighted some of them, when the President issues a notice for such a Congress, the notice must have an agenda, and deal with issues like the venue, times, dates etc.
As you may be aware, the Unions that have requested a Special National Congress have advanced different reasons for their requests, and in the circumstances, a process must be undertaken to assess whether the relevant Unions and other Unions can reach agreement on a common agenda for the Congress.
In addition, all previous National Congress have had a theme, reports, resolutions, details of credentials etc
It is my considered view that in considering all these issues there has to be input from the Affiliates through the Central Executive Committee.
More importantly, I want to stress and assure all that as the COSATU President, I have no intention or interest to delay convening a Special National Congress.
I have seen the media reports that have accused me of being reluctant to carry out this task. I have decided not to respond to anonymous allegations and sources in line with the decisions of the previous CEC.
Finally, in the next few weeks, I will update you on any relevant information that I would have gathered.
I will also be asking the Unions for relevant information relating to their readiness for the Special National Congress in line with our standard past practice in preparation for a National Congress, and as per the directive of the September 2013 CEC.
I am looking forward to working with all of you in preparation for the Special National Congress.
Yours Comradely,
Sidumo Dlamini
COSATU President
cc COSATU NOB's
Issued by COSATU, October 11 2013
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