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