Saftu explains why it decided to join national shutdown

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has outlined its reasons for choosing to participate in next week’s shutdown.

Monday’s national shutdown, being organised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is to call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign and for an end to rolling blackouts.

Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says, “Do you want us to fold our arms and do nothing when our country is at the state of stage 8 load shedding unannounced? Do you want us to do nothing when government is cutting budgets that are meant to deliver the most basic services? We cannot continue in a country that is totally dysfunctional and everybody now admits is a failed state.”

The All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF ASA) organisation says it will not take part in next week’s national shutdown.

The organisation that is believed to represent unemployed truck drivers, say they will treat this day as a normal working day.

ATDF spokesperson Mandla Mngomezulu says they will not be used by politicians to score political points.

“We have taken a decision no to participate on this useless shutdown. We want Julius Malema to know that ATDF will not participate. We are calling on all South Africans who are supporting ATDF and those who are working on the trucking industry on that day to go to work.”

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Source: SABC News (sabcnews.com)