by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
The trade union federation believes fresh leadership can help return SAPO to sustainability and create new opportunities through courier services and an expanded Postbank. Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso / Independent Newspapers
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the appointment of a new board for the South African Post Office (SAPO), describing it as an important step towards rebuilding one of the country’s most recognisable public institutions.
The federation said the appointment answers long standing calls from Cosatu, its affiliate the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU), and SAPO employees for “fresh, competent and committed leadership” capable of steering the struggling entity back to stability.
According to Cosatu, years of weak leadership and the organisation’s inability to adapt to changing trends in the postal and communications sectors have left the Post Office on the brink of collapse.
“For far too long SAPO has been allowed to deteriorate to a state of near collapse,” the federation said.
“The absence of dedicated and fit for purpose leadership has been at the centre of this painful decline in addition to SAPO’s failing to keep pace with structural shifts in the postal and communications sectors.”
The trade union federation was particularly critical of the business rescue process that began in 2023, arguing that it had failed to produce meaningful results while placing a heavy burden on workers.
Cosatu said the tenure of the Business Rescue Practitioners had delivered “nothing to show beyond retrenching thousands of SAPO employees and plunging their families into absolute poverty and despair, closing hundreds of branches and thus further shrinking its customer base and potential to recover.”
It further criticised the fact that workers had gone years without inflation linked wage adjustments, while alleging that the practitioners had ensured “to pay themselves sumptuous fees.”
Recent warnings that SAPO could face liquidation have heightened concerns over the future of the state owned enterprise. Cosatu, however, said liquidation was not an option.
“Cosatu will never agree to the liquidation of SAPO. The only liquidation that must take place is that of the BRPs,” the federation said.
“It is time that the Department approached court to remove the BRPs and provide the Board with the necessary space and support to ensure SAPO is stabilised and set back upon the path to sustainability.”
The federation believes there is precedent for a successful recovery, pointing to the turnaround efforts underway at other state owned enterprises such as Transnet and Metrorail.
“The turnaround of other embattled state owned enterprises from Transnet to Metro Rail proves that they can be fixed and once again contribute to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs with competent management, the removal of criminal and corrupt elements, filling frontline vacancies and recruiting critical skills, and investing in the company’s infrastructure and capacity.”
Cosatu also highlighted legislative changes that it believes could provide SAPO with new revenue streams. The SAPO and Postbank Amendment Acts, passed by the sixth Parliament, allow the Post Office to expand into the lucrative courier market while positioning it as a one stop centre for public services.
At the same time, the legislation enables Postbank to develop into a fully licensed state bank focused on serving working class and rural communities that often struggle to access mainstream banking services.
“The SAPO and Postbank Amendment Acts passed by the 6th Parliament provide a turnaround plan for both institutions, by allowing SAPO to enter the highly lucrative courier business and to become a one stop shop for citizens to access public services and enabling the Postbank to become a fully licensed state bank aimed at working class and rural residents all too often redlined by the private banking sector,” Cosatu said.
Looking ahead, the federation said it would seek urgent engagements with the Ministry and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies to secure commitments around job protection, outstanding payments to workers and the implementation of a comprehensive recovery strategy.
“It is critical that Treasury provide the necessary financial support to enable such a turnaround to be implemented as a matter of the highest priority,” Cosatu said.
Source: https://businessreport.co.za/companies/2026-06-07-cosatu-backs-fresh-south-african-post-office-leadership-to-revive-struggling-entity
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
While official statements portray SASSA as a lifeline, the pensioners who depend on it tell a very different story. A flood of comments responding to a recent exposé has pulled back the curtain on a system that critics say is failing the elderly in plain sight.
For many South Africans, SASSA day at the supermarket is less a celebration and less a payday; it is an exercise in quiet humiliation. Benita Swart described watching pensioners at Shoprite weigh individual pieces of fruit, removing one if the total price was too high.
“These are dignified people, dressed in their best for pension day, who must buy so that there is something every day,” Swart wrote on Facebook comment.
Additionally, her comment, originally posted in Afrikaans, struck a nerve, attracting dozens of reactions from people who recognised the scene immediately.
Prices Go Up, SASSA Grant Does Not
Furthermore, beyond the emotional weight, South Africans are raising practical alarms. Dudley Wright noted a pattern he says repeats itself across supermarkets every month: on SASSA day, prices increase, and specials shift to items pensioners would never buy.
“Why not have items that the pensioners would use at discounted prices, bread, sugar, rice, meat, eggs, fruit and veggies?” Wright asked.
His suggestion has gained traction, with many calling for a formalised pensioner discount structure, similar to models used in other countries.
Payments Going Missing
Perhaps the most alarming thread running through the comments is the number of pensioners reporting missing payments entirely. Yvonne Chinnapper said she received nothing in May and was still waiting on 2 June, having been redirected between SASSA and Postbank with no resolution.
“What do you think, guys, SASSA has taken my pension to have a party,” she wrote.
Also, others echoed her frustration. One commenter wrote in Afrikaans that pensions are “stolen without shame by officials”, a claim that speaks to deeper concerns about accountability at the agency.
Calls for a Complete Rethink
Commenters are not just venting; they are demanding structural change. From subsidised electricity rates for the elderly to a full government review of the pension system, the calls are growing louder.
“The struggle is real,” wrote Zaino Arendse. “It’s time for the government to reevaluate the pension system.”
With living costs continuing to climb and the grant amount remaining largely stagnant, many South Africans say the system is not just broken, it is actively failing the people who need it most.
Source: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/sassa/south-africans-expose-what-sassa-really-does-to-pensioners
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the appointment of a new board for the South African Post Office (SAPO), describing it as an important step towards rebuilding one of the country’s most recognisable public institutions.
The federation said the appointment answers long standing calls from Cosatu, its affiliate the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU), and SAPO employees for “fresh, competent and committed leadership” capable of steering the struggling entity back to stability.
According to Cosatu, years of weak leadership and the organisation’s inability to adapt to changing trends in the postal and communications sectors have left the Post Office on the brink of collapse.
“For far too long SAPO has been allowed to deteriorate to a state of near collapse,” the federation said.
“The absence of dedicated and fit for purpose leadership has been at the centre of this painful decline in addition to SAPO’s failing to keep pace with structural shifts in the postal and communications sectors.”
The trade union federation was particularly critical of the business rescue process that began in 2023, arguing that it had failed to produce meaningful results while placing a heavy burden on workers.
Cosatu said the tenure of the Business Rescue Practitioners had delivered “nothing to show beyond retrenching thousands of SAPO employees and plunging their families into absolute poverty and despair, closing hundreds of branches and thus further shrinking its customer base and potential to recover.”
It further criticised the fact that workers had gone years without inflation linked wage adjustments, while alleging that the practitioners had ensured “to pay themselves sumptuous fees.”
Recent warnings that SAPO could face liquidation have heightened concerns over the future of the state owned enterprise. Cosatu, however, said liquidation was not an option.
“Cosatu will never agree to the liquidation of SAPO. The only liquidation that must take place is that of the BRPs,” the federation said.
“It is time that the Department approached court to remove the BRPs and provide the Board with the necessary space and support to ensure SAPO is stabilised and set back upon the path to sustainability.”
The federation believes there is precedent for a successful recovery, pointing to the turnaround efforts underway at other state owned enterprises such as Transnet and Metrorail.
“The turnaround of other embattled state owned enterprises from Transnet to Metro Rail proves that they can be fixed and once again contribute to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs with competent management, the removal of criminal and corrupt elements, filling frontline vacancies and recruiting critical skills, and investing in the company’s infrastructure and capacity.”
Cosatu also highlighted legislative changes that it believes could provide SAPO with new revenue streams. The SAPO and Postbank Amendment Acts, passed by the sixth Parliament, allow the Post Office to expand into the lucrative courier market while positioning it as a one stop centre for public services.
At the same time, the legislation enables Postbank to develop into a fully licensed state bank focused on serving working class and rural communities that often struggle to access mainstream banking services.
“The SAPO and Postbank Amendment Acts passed by the 6th Parliament provide a turnaround plan for both institutions, by allowing SAPO to enter the highly lucrative courier business and to become a one stop shop for citizens to access public services and enabling the Postbank to become a fully licensed state bank aimed at working class and rural residents all too often redlined by the private banking sector,” Cosatu said.
Looking ahead, the federation said it would seek urgent engagements with the Ministry and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies to secure commitments around job protection, outstanding payments to workers and the implementation of a comprehensive recovery strategy.
“It is critical that Treasury provide the necessary financial support to enable such a turnaround to be implemented as a matter of the highest priority,” Cosatu said.
Source: https://africannewsagency.com/cosatu-backs-fresh-south-african-post-office-leadership-to-revive-struggling-entity
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Cosatu has welcomed the appointment of a board for the South African Post Office. (ALAN EASON)
Labour federation remains strongly opposed to plans to liquidate the SA Post Office
Labour federation Cosatu has welcomed the board appointment for the South African Post Office after three years in a yet-to-be-finalised business rescue process that has seen about 600 post offices closed.
Business Day reported in March that organised labour had rejected proposals by the business rescue practitioners to liquidate the troubled SA Post Office, saying the move would result in 5,700 workers losing their jobs and push nearly 100,000 dependants deeper into poverty.
Minister of communications & digital technologies Solly Malatsi was questioned by MPs and the rescue practitioners after a letter revealing plans to seek the SA Post Office’s liquidation was leaked.
This was after Haroon Laher of Fasken, the rescue practitioner tasked with the SA Post Office’s business rescue, wrote to Malatsi and his deputy Mondli Gungubele, saying liquidation would be the only way forward unless the government injected cash into the SA Post Office.
The business rescue process has cost R12.6m in rescue fees, R220.1m in consultants and specialists, and R27.9m in external advisory since the 2023/2024 financial year. In March the business rescue practitioners said an additional R3.8bn was needed to finish the rescue process.
In his budget vote in May, Malatstsi allocated R595m.
Last week, the government announced the appointment of the new board for the SA Post Office. Its members are Regina Sizakele Madlala (chair), Margarete Mosibudi Phiri (deputy chair), Vuyo Mafata, Tanya van Meelis, Mantombi Lekhuleni, Mthokozisi Daluxolo Xulu, Mduduzi Justice Kennedy Bophela, Charley Fred Chain, David Mangena and Khonanjalo Buthelezi.
Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks said: “For far too long the SA Post Office has been allowed to deteriorate to a state of near collapse. The absence of dedicated and fit-for-purpose leadership has been at the centre of this painful decline in addition to failing to keep pace with structural shifts in the postal and communications sectors.”
Parks said matters had been made worse by the “disastrous tenure of the business rescue practitioners” appointed through a court agreement with the creditors and the department of communications and digital technologies in 2023.
Parks said the business rescue practitioners had “nothing to show beyond retrenching thousands of SA Post Office employees and plunging their families into absolute poverty and despair, closing hundreds of branches and thus further shrinking its customer base and potential to recover”.
“Workers have been left for years without seeing their meagre wages being adjusted for inflation, yet the business rescue practitioners have made sure to pay themselves sumptuous fees. Recent rash threats by the business rescue practitioners to liquidate the SA Post Office have pointed to the urgent need for the appointment of a board that can take charge of the entity and put in place a viable path to recovery,” Parks said.
“Cosatu will never agree to the liquidation. The only liquidation that must take place is that of the business rescue practitioners. It is time that the department approached the courts to remove the business rescue practitioners and provide the board with the necessary space and support to ensure the SA Post Office is stabilised and set back upon the path to sustainability.”
Parks said the turnaround of other embattled state-owned enterprises, from Transnet to Metro Rail, “proves they can be fixed and again contribute to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs with competent management, the removal of criminal and corrupt elements, filling frontline vacancies and recruiting critical skills, and investing in the company’s infrastructure and capacity”.
“The SA Post Office and Postbank Amendment Acts passed by parliament provide a turnaround plan for both institutions by allowing the SA Post Office to enter the highly lucrative courier business and to become a one-stop shop for citizens to access public services and enabling the Postbank to become a fully licensed state bank aimed at working-class and rural residents all too often redlined by the private banking sector,” he said.
“Cosatu will seek urgent engagements with the ministry and parliament’s portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies to provide comfort to workers that their jobs will be secured, money paid and a turnaround plan put in place. It is critical that the National Treasury provide the necessary financial support to enable such a turnaround to be implemented as a matter of the highest priority.”
Source: https://www.businessday.co.za/news/2026-06-08-why-cosatu-is-backing-sa-post-office-board-appointment
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Razell Mohamed of Gqeberha will defend her South African female junior heavyweight title against Rita Mrwebi of Gauteng. (FACEBOOK/RAZELL MOHAMED)
Champ all set to square off against Gauteng challenger Rita Mrwebi this weekend
Gqeberha’s Razell Mohamed is raring to go in the second defence of her SA female junior heavyweight crown when she squares off against Gauteng challenger Rita Mrwebi this weekend.
This electrifying title bout headlines the triple-header Zibondiwe Ziyabila eGqeberha boxing event, brought to life by Zantsi’s Showtime Productions, the MBDA, and the NMBM, lighting up the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Other fight headliners will see Walmer’s professional female boxer Nozipho Bell face Zimbabwean Chiedza Homakoma for the vacant WBF intercontinental junior welterweight championship.
Meanwhile, Knysna’s Mbuyiseli Ndukwaka will challenge KuGompo City’s Hlumelo Gingana for the vacant IBO Africa Lightweight title.
Mohamed’s last fight at home saw her successfully defend her SA cruiserweight title, beating Limpopo’s Rolen Mulebo by a unanimous points decision in August 2022.
The boxer, who is a schoolteacher at Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, first claimed the vacant title when she beat Lillian Molala of Mpumalanga in a 10-round matchup at the Fairview Sports Centre in Gqeberha.
She last stepped into the ring in August 2023 against IBF champion New Zealander Lani Daniels at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
That was an experience she enjoyed as it was against a quality opponent.
“Since then, I’ve continued to learn, grow and develop as a fighter,” Mohamed said.
“I’m looking forward to putting that growth on display on Saturday.
“Rita Mrwebi is a tough and experienced fighter who has earned her place in this fight.
“I respect what she brings to the ring, but my focus has been on making sure I’m the best version of myself on fight night.
“We’ve studied her, we’ve prepared properly, and I’m ready for whatever she brings.”
She said her main focus points at training had been conditioning, sharpness and ring discipline.
Mohamed said that after being out of the ring for some time, it was important to make sure she was in peak condition and able to maintain a high work rate from the first round to the last.
“We’ve also worked hard on fine-tuning the technical aspects of my boxing.
“I’m feeling very prepared. We’ve had a solid camp, and I’ve put in the work physically, mentally and technically.
“Everything has gone according to plan, and I’m excited to get back into the ring and showcase the improvements I’ve made. I’ve had to dig deep for this one.
“Defending my title is extremely important to me.
“Winning the South African Junior Heavyweight title was a proud moment in my career, but being a champion is about more than winning the belt—it’s about defending it and proving that you belong at the top.
“This title represents all the hard work, sacrifices and support I’ve received along the way, and I’m determined to do everything I can to keep it.
“I have more to prove this time.”
Other bouts include Siyamnekela Gqubule vs Lelethu Bolo (both from Gqeberha) in the mini-flyweight contest.
Lubabalo Soga (Kareiga) vs Siphosethu Madasi (Makhanda) junior bantamweight.
Sibusiso Moyakhe (Gqeberha) vs Siphesihle Mpohlweni (Makhanda) bantamweight, Libona Rali (Gqeberha) vs Ziviwe Ntobongwana (KuGompo City), and Yibanathi Magwa vs Milani George (both from Gqeberha) mini flyweight.
Tickets are available at Webtickets outlets, including Boxer, BP and Pick n Pay, as well as at the stadium ticket office, at R100 for adults and R50 for children under 12.
Entrance is from 5pm.
Source: https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/sport/2026-06-04-razell-mohamed-primed-to-defend-sa-crown
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is counting down the days until 8 June, when the administrator of its Affiliate, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU), Sipho Sono, will appear before court to explain why he should not be held in contempt.
In January this year, the Labour Court ordered the removal of Sono as administrator of CEPPWAWU and appointed Gerhard Vosloo to replace him. Vosloo’s term was meant to start on 1 March, but to COSATU and CEPPWAWU’s shock, Sono didn’t pack his stationery and walk off into the sunset, instead he appealed the ruling and continued as administrator.
In March the Labour Appeals Court affirmed the earlier ruling and ordered Sono to vacate his role as CEPPWAWU administrator. Still, Sono refused to leave.
Now the Labour Court has summoned him to appear before it on 8 June to explain the following:
- Why he mustn’t be held in contempt of court.
- Imprisoned or fined
- Vacate CEPPWAWU premises and return all union property
- Ordered to pay costs
Sono will finally meet his reckoning after he continuously disregarded the court’s rulings while not lifting a finger to deliver on his mandate as administrator. When he was appointed, Sono was expected to appoint a facilitator to convene the union’s provincial and National congresses as per constitution, finalise outstanding audited financial statements and vacate as administrator by 12 December 2023.
Shamefully, Sono has not delivered on any of these tasks and yet he insists on staying, all the while paying himself exorbitant fees. He is a stain on his profession.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za
Source: https://mediadon.co.za/cosatu-welcomes-labour-court-contempt-proceedings-against-ceppwawu-administrator
