The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), once President Jacob Zuma’s strongest labour movement ally, has dumped him. The loss in the president’s camp of the voice of Nehawu, by far labour federation Cosatu’s biggest affiliate, will weaken him further. According to sources in Cosatu, three other vociferous affiliates — the South African Democratic Teachers Union, the National Union of Mineworkers and police union Popcru — are set to follow suit. As Nehawu with about 289,000 members represents a large section of the public service, the call by its national executive committee for the president to resign cannot be taken lightly. Nehawu said the situation in the country had become untenable. It wants Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to take over immediately and succeed Zuma as party president at the ANC’s next conference in 2017. Nehawu’s move is set to anger the remaining Zuma supporters in the federation, largely limited to the South African Transport and Alli...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.