April 18, 2006 Media Statement For immediate release The Mail, a small community newspaper based in Mafikeng, North West, carried a story about divisions in COSATU and Nehawu structures in its 7th April 2006 edition. The article alleges that both COSATU and NEHAWU in the North West Province failed to pronounce themselves in support of Khumalo Molefe at the point of his suspension by the North West Agriculture Department. The article goes further as to allege that in the coming Cosatu North West Provincial congress, there is 'no agreement within the organisation regarding whom to advance for the earmarked position.' Purporting that there are divisions in the union about who is Nehawu's candidate for the position of Chairperson and Secretary of Cosatu in North West. In the absence of facts, the Mail relies on innuendos, rumours and outright fabrication to create a story out of nothing. The divisions that the Mail refers to are a figment of their imagination or their source(s). Nehawu wishes to set the record straight as follows: - Nehawu is not party to any 'cabal, faction or group' in the ANC in North West, if any such cabal, faction or group exist.
- Khumalo Molefe is a member of the union and he is entitled to representation by the union. This representation was, is and will be provided to Molefe Khumalo. As opposed to the case of Molefe, the North West Legislature matter affects the whole shop stewards committee of the branch and not an individual. It is not standard practice to issue public statements on cases involving individuals. To suggest that Khumalo Molefe was or is not supported by Nehawu or Cosatu is a lie.
- Nehawu North West Provincial Executive Committee agreed in its recent meeting that Nehawu will support its North West Chairperson, Motsamai Mackenzie as a candidate for the chairperson position in the coming COSATU North West Provincial Congress. There is no mandate for Nehawu to contest any other position. The alleged divisions about candidates and or positions in the coming Cosatu North West Provincial congress are known only to the Mail and their faceless sources. Perhaps, the Mail's source(s) harbour ambitions about these positions, in which case they are free to contest, but cannot use the media as a platform to launch their campaign nor can they use the media to slander the union and its leaders.
We expect the Mail to do the right thing and publish these facts. Issued by Nehawu Communications Department For further information, please contact Pat Motubatsi, Nehawu North West Provincial Secretary at 018-381 4585 0r 082 455 2327 |
