The head of a defence force union is seeking legal advice after he was ousted following a bizarre disciplinary hearing
Sechaba ka’Nkosi
A senior executive member of the South African Security Forces Union (Sasfu) has been suspended from the union by officials of another union.
Sasfu head Sergeant Major Sidney Kunene was allegedly axed in October 2000 on a recommendation by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) national office that alleged he was running Sasfu in an autocratic manner.
But Sasfu says Popcru ousted their leader because he was attempting to expose alleged kickbacks taken by union officials during negotiations on an insurance package for members and wanted to stop the deal.
A bizarre disciplinary meeting, attended by most of Popcru’s national executive committee, decided to axe Kunene despite overwhelming opposition from his own union at a time when the two unions had informal links. Sasfu, which was itself embroiled in leadership wrangles, had preferred the intervention of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party to solve its problems, rather than calling on Popcru to make these decisions.
Kunene, a former Umkhonto weSizwe member, was a Popcru national organiser after his return from exile in 1991.He joined the South African National Defence Force in 1995.
Kunene refused to comment on the issue this week, arguing that it was still sub judice. He is seeking legal advice and will appeal against his suspension from the union.
Popcru representative Siyavuya Sineke said: “We definitely do not know anything about Kunene. In fact, this is the first time we ever heard of Sasfu. Who are they, by the way?”
However, both Pocru and Sasfu sources claim that Popcru general secretary Abbey Witbooi, deputy president Meshack Mpemva, vice- president Mojetsi Bowase and treasurer Themba Matsane attended the controversial meeting that culminated in Kunene’s suspension.
Kunene was allegedly suspended following differences between the unions on the way a lucrative insurance package was enforced despite Sasfu’s recommendation of another company.
Sasfu had recommended that a black company, Chidudu, should administer the package that included provident funds, medical aid and a funeral scheme. In return, the company was expected to help Sasfu build its administrative infrastructure.
Popcru supported another company’s bid for the package. A Sasfu official who tried to oppose the decision was ordered out of the meeting by the Popcru executive members.
Popcru was instrumental in the formation of Sasfu in 1999. At the time, the two unions had informal relations, with Popcru helping Sasfu to set itself up. There were hopes that this would lead to the formation of a single union for security forces in the country.
However, the relationship was declared to contravene laws that govern the defence force, since soldiers are prohibited from joining unions or federations that have political leanings. Popcru is an affiliate partner of Cosatu, which in turn is a key member of the tripartite alliance with the African National Congress and the SACP.
“We are a progressive union that understands the laws that govern this country,” said Sineke. “We would do nothing to interfere with another union’s problems, even if they were affiliated to Cosatu.”