NEHAWU Gauteng Rejects Opportunistic Grandstanding by the DA regarding matters in the Gauteng Legislature
Wednesday September 25, 2024The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in Gauteng Province notes with concern the one-sided article ran by News24 regarding the dismissal of the former Secretary of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. We are angered that News24 failed to seek clarity regarding issues raised in the article to avoid the lies paddled by the journalist.
Firstly, as NEHAWU, we approached News24 regarding the corruption that the former Secretary and the ED CSS were doing in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature [GPL] early this year. We presented them with facts and evidence, but they never went to print, and we find it hard that they are doing what they are doing now. NEHAWU raised concerns of nepotism, irregular appointments, flawed SCM process, fraudulent sick-notes submitted by ED CSS, abuse of power and none commitment to finalise the alleged S&T Cases that the article is alluding to. The union was concerned that BDO was paid R498 000.00 to perform the work that GPL should have had the capacity to perform with the Risk Unit fully capacitated, and that the Disciplinary Policy was not adhered to. The union had maintained that the GPL should follow procedure and policies when instituting discipline. The ANC only called for the disciplinary processes to be put in abeyance until processes and policies are adhered to, in avoiding unnecessary litigation regarding unfair and unlawful labour practises by the GPL.
It must be noted that the union that takes corruption and governance very seriously, hence we were the first to approach the office of the Public Protector, Public Service Commission on numerous matters and opened a case at SAPS of fraud that amounted to more than R130 000.00 approved by the former Secretary for the ED CSS who reports directly to the Secretary. CAS number 234/2/2024.
The union has a right to defend its members by law as provided for by the labour laws and the Constitution of the Republic. Again, the union has an obligation to defend its members who are being falsely accused, hence we will always be concerned and advocate for the ethical management and against corruption at the Legislature. We are further aware of the opportunistic grandstanding by the DA because the Union presented the same concerns to two oversight bodies that the DA is represented in and were present in the same meetings. DA failed to act and call for accountability because it had its own agenda.
In fact, the Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip demonstrated keen interest to address the concerns while DA turned a blind eye. Solly Msimanga was never interested to have the concerns investigated. He allowed corruption to continue under his watch. The Chief Whip maintained in all interactions that the former Secretary and NEHAWU should resolve the acrimonious relationship that caused low employee morale within GPL.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the acrimonious relationship between NEHAWU and GPL Management intensified when the same secretary refused to investigate how the ED CSS evaded GPL reputational vetting procedure after it surfaced that there were allegations of fraud and impropriety she committed to the tune of millions during her tenure as a general manager of Corporate Services at Vhembe District Municipality. Solly Msimanga was aware of all these matters, as the Union brought them to the attention of OCPOL and HRD committees that he sits in. The HRD committee was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
Anyone with a discerning heart can see that the attack on the Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip are personal and a smear campaign. To this day, Solly Msimanga has failed in his role as leader of opposition and subsequently failed the people of Gauteng. If any ethics enquiry should be instituted, it must be instituted against him.
Lastly, as NEHAWU, we are disappointed in News24 for this irresponsible journalism. The journalist sought to promote a good image of wrong individuals while damaging images of those who sought to correct the situation within the GPL. This is sheer recklessness as they failed to verify the information before going to print.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Gauteng Secretariat
Mzikayise Tshontshi (Gauteng Provincial Secretary) at 0636851938 or email: mzikayise@nehawu.org.za or
Thulisile Msimang (Gauteng Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0721748062 or email: tmsimang@dtps.gov.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za
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