NUMSA CONDEMNS LEAKING OF ITS INTERNAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
17 July 2015
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) condemns the well-coordinated underhand tactic by unnamed and faceless individuals of leaking to the Mail and Guardian an internal investigation report pertaining to the “alleged” misappropriation of funds by Shopstewards at Schnellecke Logistic Solutions, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
In today’s Mail and Guardian edition (Friday 17 July 2015) they have published a story with a headline “Drowning of sorrow: How shop stewards splurged R200K” which is based on an internal investigation report, scheduled to be tabled by this weekend Numsa’s Regional Executive Committee (REC) of the Eastern Cape (see here).
The story does not only harm the public image or reputation of the union, but seeks to find the alleged Shopstewards and officials guilty through the gutter of public opinion; whilst we are not condoning embezzlement of workers money, this we cannot sweep under the carpet.
The timing of the leaking of the report is highly suspicious, given the malicious accusations made by SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande and Cosatu’s President S’dumo Dlamini, that we are using dirty money. Therefore, this story seeks to reinforce these callous lies spread by the two. Our members are no fools.
Furthermore, the report has been leaked deliberately in order to influence the deliberations and findings by the REC.
It is alleged that our Schnellecke Shopstewards misappropriated an estimated amount of R200 000 on t-shirts, parties, hotel accommodation, alcohol and taxi fares.
Numsa is a transparent union and it does not tolerate misappropriation of funds drawn from the pittance and meagre wages of workers. The union will always uphold its constitution and policies in rooting out those found to have used their positions to unduly rewarding themselves, using workers money. In line with Numsa’s existing policies as correctly stated by the National Treasurer cde Mphumzi Maqungo, “The organisation cannot tolerate such things. If the Shop stewards are found to have been in the wrong, they must face the music”.
Numsa strongly condemns this anti-organisational and divisive behavior from those responsible for the leaking of the report. The leaking of the report does not only harm the name of the union, but also prejudices the names of the Shopstewards involved and the work done thus far in getting to the bottom of this issue. The only biggest beneficiary of these leaks is our distractors and class enemies, whom on daily basis accuse us of using “dirty” money to cause divisions in other working class organisations.
Numsa is highly confident that the REC of the Eastern Cape has the political and organisational authority to put this matter to rest in the interest of preserving the union’s image and giving confidence to workers that they monies are in safe and good hands.
Statement issued by Mphumzi Maqungo, NUMSA National Treasurer, July 17 2015
