*CWU PRESS STATEMENT* * *
* * *21 July 2011* * * * * *SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE (SAPO)* * * The Communication Workers Union (CWU) raised alarm around the issue of alleged corruption regarding the new lease agreements for two buildings by the Post Office, situated in Centurion (Pta) and Langahoven (Bloemfontein) respectively from offices the company owned and had no rental obligations. In March 2010 Sapo made a presentation about its intention of moving its Head Office to Eco Park in Centurion, a move that would cost the company about 3.9 million rand per month. CWU out-rightly objected citing that the rental amount is exorbitant and does not present a well thought business rational, both economically and socially. It was clear to the union that this transaction was premeditated or concocted to enrich some senior officials in SAPO, with the immediate suspects being the CEO (Motshwanesti Lefoka), COO (John Wentzel), and Group Executive Strategy (Marikie Lancester). Subsequently, we formally declared a dispute in November 2010 about the move to the new offices, alleging that no proper procurement processes were followed. CWU then raised the matter with the company CEO who did not respond and as a result the matter was escalated to the Chairperson of the Board who promised to look into the matter. In March 2011 a formal correspondence was sent to the Chairperson of the Board and also the office of the Public Protector requesting that they look into the two lease agreements and whether the correct procurement processes were followed. CWU then met the Chairperson of the Board at the end of March 2011 where we indicated that the matter has been referred to the Public Protector. The Chairperson of the SAPO Board informed us that a forensic audit on the matter was still on and that the union would be given feedback once the process has been completed. A meeting with the Public Protector will continue in the coming week. CWU then demanded that all the immediate suspects be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. This demand has not been honoured and the union intend exerting all manner of pressure to compel the suspension of these alleged financial looters. We have since been informed that two managers linked to this saga have since resigned and we believe that more are to follow. We therefore call upon the Minister of Communications to immediately intervene in the matter and effect the suspensions of the corporate corruptors in Sapo. * * * * *SABC* The broadcaster (SABC) want to retrench workers at the SABC. It is said that about 800 worker’s jobs are on the line. SABC assured us in our National Executive Committee (NEC) Workshop though that there will be no retrenchments. As CWU we are happy with the bold decision from SABC not to retrench workers. It shows that SABC respect the position of the country President to create decent Jobs in partnership with business CWU is concerned by SABC’s tendency of paying suspended executives millions of Rands. It is very clear that the top management are abusing public funds. We recommend to the SABC to deal with all outstanding cases where people are suspended as soon as yesterday. We are concerned by the SABC’s board for failing to appoint a full-time Group Chief Executive Officer. We are unhappy that SABC marginalised CWU in appointing the GCEO. We urge all citizens of this country to stand up and Save Our SABC from hyenas who are waiting to loot the public funds for their selfish interest. We request the Minister of Communications and SABC Board to fill the position of GCEO as soon as possible. * * *Icasa Local Loop Unbundling (LLU)* CWU has always been opposed to Privatization of strategic national assets like Telkom. It is in this context that CWU is opposed to the Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). The “Electronic Communications Act” of 2005 came into being with no consideration of the input from Communication Workers Union. This arrogance was again displayed during the sale of the Telkom stake in Vodacom SA to Vodafone, this resulting in the now admitted loss of Telkom’s finances and jobs as prophesized by CWU but rejected by the Department of Communications (DoC), Telkom, Vodacom and Vodafone. Telkom has since its sale of Vodacom shares retrenched employees. CWU remain steadfast that the ECA and related laws must be reviewed to ensure that competition should not be limited to providing a variety of services at affordable prices, but must also include competing with the creation of sustainable quality jobs. The LLU which has been rejected in other countries will lead to job losses members of CWU. We determined to pay dearly in defence of jobs. * * *Contact:* * * *Matankana Mothapo – National Spokesperson - 0827590900* -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
