Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
The South African Municipal Workers Union in Limpopo has been caught by surprise by the resignation of two of its senior officials - apparently to align themselves with the Congress of the People.
The two bigwigs - Percy Thobejane, who was the union's chairman, and Mokgadi Mamabolo, the secretary - dropped a bombshell yesterday when they resigned from the union.
They broke the news at an emotional meeting attended by management and union members.
Their unexpected resignations come barely two weeks after they resigned from the ANC, in their branches at Sekororo, after reports of soured relations with party members.
Sowetan has been reliably informed that the two had since joined Cope.
Their resignations left the municipality baffled and prompted the union leadership to elect an interim structure to lead until a fully-fledged structure had been elected.
Fourier Maake and Petrus Ngobeni were elected as interim chairman and secretary of the union respectively.
"It's true. I've resigned from the ANC and joined Cope," Thobejane said yesterday.
He said he could no longer serve in a union affiliated to Cosatu, which is in alliance with the ANC. "I'm waiting for a new union to be launched by Willy Madisha, which will be independent and not affiliated to any political organisation."
Top Samwu officials ditch union for Cope
Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
The South African Municipal Workers Union in Limpopo has been caught by surprise by the resignation of two of its senior officials - apparently to align themselves with the Congress of the People.
The two bigwigs - Percy Thobejane, who was the union's chairman, and Mokgadi Mamabolo, the secretary - dropped a bombshell yesterday when they resigned from the union.
They broke the news at an emotional meeting attended by management and union members.
Their unexpected resignations come barely two weeks after they resigned from the ANC, in their branches at Sekororo, after reports of soured relations with party members.
Sowetan has been reliably informed that the two had since joined Cope.
Their resignations left the municipality baffled and prompted the union leadership to elect an interim structure to lead until a fully-fledged structure had been elected.
Fourier Maake and Petrus Ngobeni were elected as interim chairman and secretary of the union respectively.
"It's true. I've resigned from the ANC and joined Cope," Thobejane said yesterday.
He said he could no longer serve in a union affiliated to Cosatu, which is in alliance with the ANC. "I'm waiting for a new union to be launched by Willy Madisha, which will be independent and not affiliated to any political organisation."