DA propaganda on Indians in KZN losing their jobs due to proposed amendments of Employment Equity Act

COSATU in KZN is shocked and saddened by the propaganda and political scavenger tactics of the DA in raising its swart gevaar scam (see here). Clearly their concern is not about the people of Indian origin. Indians in this province have a long history of struggle as well as being part of the society and we value the contribution they made in the struggle against apartheid going forward.

We would like to make it clear that there will be no retrenchments that will take place as a consequence of the amendments of the EEA which are currently being proposed. Amendments to the Employment Equity Act are not about dismissals but rather about employment framework and pattern. We as the federation and the vanguard of the workers in the workplace will not allow that even if it was the case. No law can be allowed to exist in order to affect workers of any colour adversely. We have fought against one of the tyrannical system of oppression and segregation in the whole world and clearly therefore we will fight against any job losses based on race.

South Africa is a constitutional democracy and at its heart, it embraces that no one shall be discriminated against because of the colour of their skin, creed or religion. We are certain that we have all the checks and balances in place to ensure that no one will be unfairly discriminated because they happen to be of Indian origin.

COSATU, as the custodian of workplace non-racialism, wants to reassure people of Indian origin that such a statement by the DA is nothing but white supremacist propaganda that should never be taken seriously.

The DA has and will never be a party for non-racialism. Look at how they deal with their fellow black counterparts in their leadership. Joe Seremane was the National Chairperson and a member of the National parliament but he was never the Party leader in parliament. The leader was Ms Botha who was junior to Seremane. Clearly the colour of the skin of their leaders matters most when it comes to some positions in the DA.  Mr. Mchunu is also the KZN Provincial Chairperson of the DA a very similar scenario is playing itself out. Clearly DA cannot be trusted with building and championing non-racialism.

We are of the view that provincial demographics are of primary importance but they should never be used as a scarecrow in order to win votes, because that is tantamount to political thuggery and the highest form of political adventurism. The national demographics are also of importance as they may assist towards nation building but such be not at detriment of provincial reflections. We believe that people should have the right to move around without a noose around their neck.

The statement by the DA is opportunistic and their stance is in fact the most racist as it seemed to suggest that workers of Indians origin will forever be confined in KZN; that is a serious indictment. The DA has never been a defender of the poor and the working class but an ally and the proxy of capital and the oppressors. They cannot dare claim to care for the poor. Their record speaks for itself.

Statement issued by Zet Luzipo, COSATU KZN Provincial Secretary, March 15 2011

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