The leadership of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has been
accused of illegally extending its stay at the helm of the biggest municipal labour union in the country.

Sowetan has learnt of a fraud case laid by the union's former general secretary, Walter Theledi, against the union's leadership, including its president and current general secretary, accusing them of forging his signature in a document informing the Department of Labour of an "illegal" constitutional amendment which extended the term of office bearers by two years.

Pretoria police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe confirmed that they were investigating a case of fraud.

In an affidavit filed by Theledi to police, which Sowetan has seen, he states that he became aware in May that a resolution and a certificate of constitutional amendments were submitted to the department on August 29 2015 during his tenure as secretary.

"I deny that at any stage I submitted the said resolution and certificate or knew of such resolution and certificate until this information was brought to my attention," Theledi states in the affidavit.

"The signature is definitely not mine... and accordingly the said resolution and certificate is unauthorised, fraudulent and illegal."

Samwu's general secretary, Simon Mathe told Sowetan yesterday that the contested signature was his, even though the challenged resolution was taken before he took office.

"That resolution was taken on the 26th of August 2015... there was a central executive committee [CEC meeting] in October 2015 which reaffirmed the resolution. I took minutes in that CEC, Theledi was not there as he was suspended at the time," he said.

He said the resolution certificate notifying the department of the changes in their constitution was submitted in January.

"I was the secretary [in January], the resolution certificate was signed by me because the CEC, which reaffirmed the resolution, took place when I was already secretary," Mathe said.

"Theledi reached a settlement with Samwu a long time ago. In what capacity is he
doing what he's doing?"

When approached for comment yesterday, Theledi stood by his affidavit.

"I know nothing about that resolution. No decision was taken to extend the term of office or make any constitutional amendments at conference," he said.