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AT THE HELM: Satawu acting president John Dube and general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

Mphahlele resigned two weeks ago and defected to the newly established union National Transport and Allied Workers Union, which was formed by former leaders of Satawu in Gauteng.

Satawu's central executive committee (CEC) meeting, held over the weekend, rejected his resignation.

"Mphahlele has actually not resigned from the union, but cowardly chickened out to avoid the special CEC's investigation into his conduct," Satawu secretary Zenzo Mahlangu said.

The meeting resolved to appoint John Dube as acting president until Satawu's next elective congress. Dube was the first deputy president of Satawu since 2004. Before that he was a shop steward at Unitrans. He is also an active branch member of the SA Communist Party and the ANC in Ekurhuleni. His immediate responsibility is to unite Satawu after the departure of Mphahlele.

The union said it was concerned about the release of the Department of Labour report that threatened to de-register Cosatu unions.

"We believe this is a ploy to silence Cosatu and slowly turn it into a weak mouthpiece of the downtrodden and the exploited."

Satawu and several Cosatu affiliated unions were recently slated for failing to submit, among other things, audited financial statements, membership numbers and lists of their national office bearers.

Mahlangu said Satawu had submitted all necessary documentation to the department.

He said union members were preparing for the Cosatu congress, and they would submit resolutions for adoption.

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Wed Jun 19 13:34:06 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 27, 2012

ProgressiveAfricanDemocrat

These SATAWU guys are not serious. Ephraim Mphahlele was a great leader within SATAWU and his resignation and departure from the union should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately the leadership of SATAWU always resorts to lies to defend itself. Let us not forget that 54 people were killed during a SATAWU strike at one time and that their blood is on somebody's hands in SATAWU. This simply means that there are not a few murderers in SATAWU ranks who still need to be brought to justice.
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Aug 27, 2012

mathopeed

Most Coastu affiliates are in crisis and that needs serious inetervention.
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Aug 27, 2012

Dandalo

Satawu sold us out and I am just happy that they are falling apart. Randall Howard was still there and their commander then was Metthew Phosa who then compensated Randal by puting him into government. I am told that Phosa went to Eskom demanding business for his EOH, which is lilly white. He was accompanied by his white CEO too, what a shame ANC? They talk something and do something, they are in control of Cosatu to make sure all the people are sold with their concerned to the masters. Modern day enslavement.
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Aug 27, 2012

Sinudeity_

The ANC is divided, the unions are divided, the tripartheid alliance is divided...

Things are looking good for South Africa./
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Aug 27, 2012

LeparaThePresident

The center is not holding.
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Aug 27, 2012

ThirdEye

Another infighting, is it Mangaung again?? I just feel sorry for Vavi, he is with the cowards.
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Aug 27, 2012

Sinudeity_

ThirdEye - Vavi DESERVES it. He will lambast the ANC for being corrupt and/or incompetent, few minutes later, he's back crawling up the ANC's bunghole.
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Aug 28, 2012

ndhandhazi

Mpahlele joined the new union which orginised the violence at Marikana Lonmin mine. This is interesting.
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