Power squabbles within the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) have left thousands of workers confused.
This after two Eastern Cape executive members said they did not recognise expulsion letters sent to them last week Tuesday by union president Pule Molalenyane as he was also recalled from his position last Monday.
Samwu provincial chairman David Toyisi and deputy secretary Vuyoka-zi Daniels, who were elected in May last year, confirmed to the Daily Dispatch yesterday that they had received letters from Molalenyane.
However, they said they did not recognise the letters as Molalenyane had been recalled on Monday last week during a meeting held by union regional leaders from at least eight provinces.
“I did receive that unsigned love letter he sent me without a letterhead. As far as I know I have not been expelled from the union. Pule is not the president,” Daniels said.
Their disputed expulsion came after months of fighting and division between the Eastern Cape’s executive members.
Although the provincial secretary Milton Myolwa was also recalled last month by his fellow provincial executive members, he told the Dispatch the decision was later overturned by the national office and this week a provincial programme would be launched to set the record straight to the workers.
He said the roadshow will commence in the OR Tambo region tomorrow and expected to come to an end on April 7.
The recalled Molalenyane said the union had expelled Toyisi, Daniels and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro leader Nomvula Hadi for allegedly planning or taking part in an “unconstitutional and bogus” central executive committee meeting held in Johannesburg last week Monday where he was recalled.
Molalenyane was recalled in absentia by the group with his first deputy president John Dlamini and national treasurer Portia Lindi for allegedly bringing the union into disrepute, expelling and suspending union regional leaders without following the union’s constitution.
He accused the ring leaders of the meeting of fighting a forensic investigation launched to look into the mismanagement of more than R50-million from the union’s coffers.
Timson Tshililo from Limpopo, who was elected as acting president last week, claimed the union members did not recognise Molalenyane.
“I am the acting president for now and we were given three months as an interim structure. After the three months a special central executive committee meeting will sit and new members will be elected.”
Tshililo accused Molalenyane and his faction of working with Zwelinzima Vavi and Irvin Jim towards forming a new federation.
Samwu power struggles confuse workers
This after two Eastern Cape executive members said they did not recognise expulsion letters sent to them last week Tuesday by union president Pule Molalenyane as he was also recalled from his position last Monday.
Samwu provincial chairman David Toyisi and deputy secretary Vuyoka-zi Daniels, who were elected in May last year, confirmed to the Daily Dispatch yesterday that they had received letters from Molalenyane.
However, they said they did not recognise the letters as Molalenyane had been recalled on Monday last week during a meeting held by union regional leaders from at least eight provinces.
“I did receive that unsigned love letter he sent me without a letterhead. As far as I know I have not been expelled from the union. Pule is not the president,” Daniels said.
Their disputed expulsion came after months of fighting and division between the Eastern Cape’s executive members.
Although the provincial secretary Milton Myolwa was also recalled last month by his fellow provincial executive members, he told the Dispatch the decision was later overturned by the national office and this week a provincial programme would be launched to set the record straight to the workers.
He said the roadshow will commence in the OR Tambo region tomorrow and expected to come to an end on April 7.
The recalled Molalenyane said the union had expelled Toyisi, Daniels and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro leader Nomvula Hadi for allegedly planning or taking part in an “unconstitutional and bogus” central executive committee meeting held in Johannesburg last week Monday where he was recalled.
Molalenyane was recalled in absentia by the group with his first deputy president John Dlamini and national treasurer Portia Lindi for allegedly bringing the union into disrepute, expelling and suspending union regional leaders without following the union’s constitution.
He accused the ring leaders of the meeting of fighting a forensic investigation launched to look into the mismanagement of more than R50-million from the union’s coffers.
Timson Tshililo from Limpopo, who was elected as acting president last week, claimed the union members did not recognise Molalenyane.
“I am the acting president for now and we were given three months as an interim structure. After the three months a special central executive committee meeting will sit and new members will be elected.”
Tshililo accused Molalenyane and his faction of working with Zwelinzima Vavi and Irvin Jim towards forming a new federation.
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