The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng notes the announcement by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, regarding the transformation of the Traffic Wardens programme into a new “Super Wardens” model aimed at fighting crime and protecting public infrastructure across the province.
COSATU welcomes all genuine efforts to address the high levels of crime that continue to affect working-class communities. Crime, vandalism, cable theft, illegal dumping, and the destruction of public infrastructure place a heavy burden on workers and their families. Every day, workers face the fear of robbery while travelling to work, businesses lose income due to criminal activity, and communities are deprived of essential services because of damaged infrastructure.
The Federation believes that safer communities are important for economic growth, job creation, and social stability. The protection of schools, clinics, hospitals, roads, public transport facilities, and other government infrastructure is critical to ensuring that workers and poor communities have access to quality services.
COSATU also welcomes the potential for the programme to create employment opportunities for young people, particularly at a time when youth unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing Gauteng and the country. Any initiative that provides skills development, training, and meaningful employment opportunities deserves support.
However, COSATU stresses that the success of the programme will depend on proper training, adequate resources, clear accountability measures, and strict adherence to the law. Wardens entrusted with law-enforcement responsibilities must be properly trained and supervised to ensure that the rights of residents are protected and that public confidence in the programme is maintained.
The Federation further calls on the Gauteng Provincial Government to ensure that workers employed within the programme enjoy decent working conditions, fair wages, access to benefits, and opportunities for career development. Crime-fighting initiatives should not be built on insecure or exploitative forms of employment.
COSATU acknowledges that crime cannot be defeated through law-enforcement interventions alone. Sustainable solutions require government to tackle the root causes of crime, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, substance abuse, and the lack of opportunities for young people. Greater investment in education, skills development, social services, and local economic development remains essential.
The Federation calls on communities, law-enforcement agencies, organised labour, business, and civil society to work together in building safer communities and protecting public assets. The fight against crime is a collective responsibility that requires unity and cooperation from all sectors of society.
COSATU will continue to monitor the implementation of the programme and engage with government to ensure that it advances the interests of workers, strengthens community safety, and contributes to the broader goal of building a safer and more prosperous Gauteng for all.
SAPS preparations ahead of possible 30 June protests are projected to cost R600 million. Image: File
As plans for 30 June protests gather momentum, the SAPS has activated joint operations in all nine provinces, at a projected cost of R600 million …
South Africa’s security cluster is geared up for possible 30 June protests. It is coordinating police, army, intelligence and provincial governments at a projected cost of R600 million. The aforementioned is a self-imposed deadline set by anti-immigration groups by which time undocumented foreign nationals must leave the country.
However, like the July 2021 riots, President Cyril Ramaphosa believes forces are using the immigration debate to stir disorder in the country. Whatever the politics behind possible 30 June protests, the police’s response is nationwide and by all accounts it won’t be subtle …
SAFETY PLAN FOR 30 JUNE PROTESTS
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirms that the SAPS has full deployment plans in place across all nine provinces. And the SANDF is on standby to step in if need be. “Criminality, intimidation, violence, destruction of property and any attempt to undermine public safety will not be tolerated,” Cachalia said in Pretoria this week.
As such, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) has reviewed operational plans province by province. And Cachalia has also been doing the rounds in person, to engage every premier on response coordination. Specifically, the Eastern Cape has all eight districts in the province on high alert. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata says, “No private persons will be allowed to assume the duties and responsibilities of the law enforcement agencies.” Yet another pointed line aimed at anyone planning vigilante action under cover of 30 June protests.
VOTER REGISTRATION MURDERS
Acting Minister Cachalia addresses the media this week regarding opertional readiness of the Natjoints ahead of 30 June 2026. Image: File
Meanwhile, voter registration this past weekend already turned violent. There were 12 serious criminal incidents recorded nationally. These include four murders – among them two people linked to the MK Party in Gauteng, a DA ward candidate in the Western Cape, and an ANC ward councillor in the Eastern Cape. Six arrests have followed, with rewards on offer for information on the rest. “This type of political violence has no place in our constitutional democracy,” said Cachalia.
Meanwhile, a group representing labour unions of Cosatu, Fedusa, Saftu and Nactu confirms that 30 June protests were not called by any recognised labour federation. Therefore, it carries none of the lawful protections of a legal strike. As such, their message to workers is blunt: “Miss work and you risk your job!”
But what do you think? Will 30 June protests go ahead? Or will the SAPS be prepared enough this time around?
Labour federations have urged workers not to participate in the planned 30 June anti-illegal immigration protest, saying it is not a recognised or protected labour action.
Union leaders argue that South Africa’s economic challenges stem from corruption, poor governance and state failure rather than migration.
Their comments have sparked backlash from some South Africans who believe undocumented migration places additional pressure on public services and job opportunities.
Organised labour has warned against blaming migrants for South Africa’s economic crisis, saying they should not be used as scapegoats for leadership failures.
Speaking at a joint press briefing at Nedlac in Rosebank on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, labour federations COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU and NACTU said poverty, unemployment and failing public services are rooted in corruption, weak governance and state incapacity.
The federations also raised concerns about what they described as coordinated anti-migrant sentiment, warning that it threatens working-class unity and could fuel xenophobia, tribalism and violence.
They said that while citizens have the right to demand effective immigration control, no individual or group has the right to stop people in the streets, demand identification documents, raid workplaces or block access to public services.
The organisations further condemned employers who knowingly hire undocumented migrants to pay lower wages, evade labour laws and weaken collective bargaining.
The federations are calling for stronger labour inspections, more effective border management, improved Home Affairs systems and the criminal prosecution of employers who exploit vulnerable workers.
“Workers’ solidarity is undermined and the principles of internationalism that have historically strengthened the labour movement then get weakened. The solution is not to blame migrant workers, who are also victims of economic hardship, but to address the structural conditions that force people to migrate and to build unity amongst workers,” said SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
The labour federations have also urged workers not to participate in the planned national action on 30 June, warning that it has not been called by recognised labour federations and does not constitute a protected strike.
These views echo comments made by former President Thabo Mbeki during HIS Africa Day address last month. Mbeki said South Africans are directing their anger at the wrong people for the social and economic challenges affecting the country, including unemployment, poverty and poor access to public healthcare.
He argued that the country’s leadership should instead be held accountable for the crisis facing the nation.
The comments have sparked strong reactions among many South Africans, particularly those from underprivileged communities, who argue that the country’s leaders are out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Many young South Africans have also taken to social media to express their views, arguing that privileged individuals should not dictate how disadvantaged communities address their challenges.
Some have claimed that public healthcare facilities are under pressure due to growing demand and migration-related issues.
Others argued that those opposing the 30 June 2026 action have never experienced the long queues at public healthcare facilities and are therefore commenting from a position of privilege.
Meanwhile, protests against undocumented foreign nationals continue in parts of the country, with residents in Ekurhuleni reportedly shutting down foreign-owned shops.
“While workers are not receiving their income leave on time, if at all, the high cost of living continues to rise,” says organised labour.
Organised labour federations comprising COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU and NACTU have called for urgent government intervention at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Fund, warning that persistent administrative failures are leaving thousands of workers without critical financial support when they need it most.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday (17 June), organised labour convenor Gerald Twala painted a bleak picture of the state of the two social security institutions. He said delays in processing claims, recurring system failures and allegations of corruption have undermined public confidence and placed vulnerable workers under immense strain.
“While workers are not receiving their income leave on time, if at all, the high cost of living continues to rise. Organised labour demands that workers everywhere share an interest in decent wages, safe workplaces, functioning public institutions, democratic governance and economies that serve the majority,” said Twala.
The UIF provides temporary income relief to workers who lose their jobs or are unable to work due to specific circumstances. The Compensation Fund is responsible for compensating employees injured or disabled on duty as well as the dependants of workers who die as a result of workplace accidents or occupational diseases.
Amid growing concerns over intimidation and disruptions in the workplace, organised labour has appealed to workers not to jeopardise their jobs and has urged government to act swiftly against unlawful activities threatening livelihoods and essential services.
“We urge workers to report for duty and not place their employment at risk. Government must communicate this clearly and act decisively against intimidation, unlawful shutdowns, attacks on workers, violence and threats to critical infrastructure,” Twala added.
According to Twala, the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) should be deployed to examine claims of misconduct and ensure accountability where public funds may have been misused.
The demand for investigations follows recent developments involving the UIF. Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised an SIU probe into certain UIF training contracts following allegations of maladministration and irregularities. The investigation is expected to examine procurement processes and determine whether public funds were spent lawfully.
As many South Africans grapple with economic uncertainty and unemployment, organised labour has warned workers against taking actions that could jeopardise their livelihoods, saying the planned 30 June “national shutdown” lacks formal labour movement support.
“We also note calls for national action on 30 June. This action has not been called by the recognised labour federations and does not constitute a protected strike. Workers who stay away from work will not enjoy the protections afforded to participants in a protected strike,” Twala concluded.
For many workers, the debate extends beyond governance and policy. Delayed UIF payments can mean going without food, rent or transport money after losing a job, while slow compensation claims can leave injured employees and their families without income during lengthy recovery periods.
As pressure mounts on government to address the growing concerns, attention is likely to focus on whether ongoing reforms and investigations will be enough to restore confidence in two institutions that play a crucial role in South Africa’s social protection system.
COSATU KZN is set to lead a National Day of Action to address the escalating cost of living, urging workers and communities to unite against financial pressures affecting households across the province. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in KwaZulu-Natal has announced plans for mass mobilisation across the province as part of a National Day of Action against the escalating cost of living, saying workers and poor households can no longer absorb the impact of rising prices.
The announcement follows a meeting of the federation’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on 11 June 2026, where political, organisational and socio-economic developments were discussed, with the worsening cost of living crisis emerging as a key concern.
The planned action comes during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the June 16 Uprising.
As part of the campaign, COSATU KwaZulu-Natal said demonstrations, pickets and mobilisation activities would take place across districts and local structures.
The main provincial programme is scheduled for Friday, 19 June 2026, at 10am at the Marine Building government offices in Durban.
In its statement, COSATU KZN linked current socio-economic conditions to the broader struggle for social justice and economic transformation, saying the aspirations of the 1976 generation remain incomplete.
The federation said workers, unemployed people, pensioners, grant recipients and poor households continued to face increasing financial pressure as fuel price hikes pushed up the cost of food, transport, electricity, housing, healthcare and education.
COSATU argued that the impact of rising living costs had extended beyond economics and was increasingly becoming a social and psychosocial challenge.
“Workers are experiencing increasing levels of stress, anxiety and mental exhaustion as they struggle to provide for their families under worsening conditions,” the federation said.
The PEC also expressed concern over what it described as a broader socio-economic crisis in South Africa characterised by unemployment, poverty, inequality, weakening public services and governance failures.
According to the federation, these conditions risk undermining confidence in democratic institutions and creating opportunities for populist and reactionary politics.
COSATU said trade unions must continue defending workers’ livelihoods and called for stronger organisation and unity within progressive movements.
Among the interventions proposed by the federation are measures to reduce the impact of fuel price increases, stabilise food prices, expand affordable public transport, protect wages against inflation, accelerate job creation programmes, strengthen social protection and improve public services.
Meanwhile South Africa’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 4.5% in May from 4% in April, pushing consumer price growth close to its highest level in almost 22 months. The inflation surge was largely driven by increases in fuel prices.
Statistics South Africa said consumer prices increased by 0.7% month-on-month in May, with transport and housing and utilities emerging as the biggest contributors to headline inflation.
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SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says African migrants should not be blamed for South Africa’s broader socio-economic challenges, warning that rising hostility in communities is fuelling xenophobic tensions.
Vavi was speaking in an interview on SABC following a joint media briefing by organised labour federations COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU, and NACTU held at NEDLAC headquarters in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
He said organised labour was concerned that South Africa’s international reputation was being damaged by rising anti-migrant sentiment, adding that labour federations had received feedback from global bodies on the issue.
“We are worried that we are being painted in a very terrible light at the international level,” Vavi said.
He added that some feedback from the International Labour Organisation suggested concerns about xenophobic attacks targeting African workers and a perceived silence from South African labour movements.
Vavi said this had contributed to labour federations deciding to speak “in one voice”, warning that the situation was deteriorating.
He said there was a growing disconnect between official language on migration and what was happening in communities, where migrants were increasingly being targeted.
While public discourse referred to undocumented or “illegal foreigners,” Vavi said the language used on the ground was often more extreme.
“In the streets they are saying we want to clean South Africa, and then everyone must go,” he said.
Vavi warned that such rhetoric risked normalising violence, drawing comparisons with past mass violence on the continent.
“This type of language reminds us exactly of what happened in Rwanda, when people were referred to as cockroaches,” he said.
He said there was evidence of “double speak” around migration, where official messaging differed from actions in communities and on social media.
“We are not opposed to migration. We are not xenophobic. But we are opposed to uncontrolled illegal immigration,” Vavi said, adding that this was the “public sanitised version”.
Vavi said migrants were increasingly being targeted in some communities, including through violence and intimidation, and that people were often attacked based on appearance or language.
“When they’re beating up people in the streets, they beat up anybody that looks darker,” he said.
He said economic hardship, unemployment, and inequality were driving anger in communities, which in turn was fuelling resentment towards foreign nationals.
Vavi said migrants were being used as a “bogeyman” for deeper structural problems.
“They have to find somebody to blame,” he said.
He also warned about mobilisation around a 30 June deadline circulating in some communities, saying organised labour had not called for any strike or protest action and urging workers not to participate in unlawful activities.
