By Doreen Mokgolo
- Former leaders say the new union was born out of growing anger at the lack of democracy and misuse of funds in NEHAWU.
- NEHAWU has hit back, calling the new union a selfish project driven by opportunists trying to recruit members into a ‘stokvel’.
A group of suspended members from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has launched a breakaway group called the National Democratic and Servant Workers Union (NDASWU).
The launch was announced on Sunday in Tshwane, just two days after the labour court ruled that NEHAWU could go ahead with disciplinary action against some of its members in Gauteng.
The group had gone to court to try to stop the suspension of Tshwane Regional Chairperson Ivan Ramogale. They also wanted to challenge the provincial leadership’s move to dissolve the region’s executive committee. But the court reserved judgment on those matters.
NDASWU’s founders say they are fed up with NEHAWU’s leadership. They claim the union has failed its members, especially in dealing with disputes, legal issues and sector-related challenges.
Zolani Masoleng, one of the leaders of NDASWU, said the decision to leave NEHAWU came after months of thinking and discussion.
“There is a clear lack of democracy and accountability,” he said. “In provinces like Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng, congresses were full of undemocratic practices.”
Masoleng also accused NEHAWU leaders of using membership fees to fund expensive lifestyles and endless court cases that silence critics.
He said suspensions and the shutdown of regional offices were used to crush dissent and prevent new voices from rising.
But NEHAWU is not taking the breakaway lightly.
“It is with great dismay that we note the formation of the so-called NDASWU by disgruntled former leaders,” the union said in a statement.
It described the new union as a “stokvel project” with no real mission to help workers. NEHAWU also urged its members to ignore the group, calling its leaders “opportunists”.
Pictured above: NEHAWU members
Image source: Facebook
