R2K Whistleblowers 2015: “Save Our Samwu” Workers

“Save Our Samwu” Workers
Officials expelled from Samwu after exposing alleged mismanagement and misuse of funds in the union.

Ten officials, who recently won a High Court application to be reinstated, say that they were part of a purge, led by Samwu’s national office bearers, to rid the union of members who have been calling for an investigation of alleged mismanagement and misuse of funds.

In September 2014, “Save Our Samwu” estimated that “no less than 87 comrades” have been victimised in this way.

According to its manifesto, “Save Our Samwu” is not a rival union or political organisation. It is a campaign within the union, essentially to restore internal democracy of the union.

The aim of the “Save Our Samwu” Workers is to have all those victimised for asking questions about the finances completely reinstated. It calls for a forensic audit of the union’s finances at national and provincial level and while this is underway, for the suspension of National Office Bearers (NOBs).

The NOBs have provided no charge sheets, submitted no specific evidence and held not a single properly constituted hearing in respect of those they have unilaterally suspended, dismissed and expelled which is a violation the union’s constitution and the labour laws of the country.

The “Save Our Samwu” Workers demand that the authorities responsible for investigating corruption and maladministration of the union’s finances undertake an inquiry, and prosecute those who it finds have misappropriated membership resources.

The “Save Our Samwu” workers were featured in R2K’s 2015 Whistleblower Calendar. Find out more at r2k.org.za/whistleblower-calendar-2015