SAFTU CONDEMNS THE LOOTING OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND MONEY

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is not shocked at the revelation that the former Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize was allegedly involved in another corruption scandal that includes squandering of unemployed workers money.

Zweli Mkhize is alleged to have benefitted from a kickback amounting to R5.9 million that helped in securing a townhouse in 2018.

The African National Congress (ANC) has proven over period of corruption and looting that it is a den for corrupt leaders. The corrupt practices have ossified into a culture to the point that even amongst members and leaders in the ANC it’s not a misnomer to score tenders irregularly, kickbacks from tenders in municipalities and nepotism.

It is clear that Zweli Mkhize and many other leaders in the ANC are what the former president of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, referred to as “Mr 10 percent” whilst addressing the extended Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the ANC in the Eastern Cape. The “Mr 10 percents” are the corrupt leaders who specialises in kickbacks from government and other spheres of our society.

Precisely because it is money of workers from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) managed through the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) that has been squandered in this deal, SAFTU calls on law enforcement agencies to recover these monies. Many workers have complained that it is often difficult to obtain their UIF funds whenever they apply, yet individuals that are actually responsible for the worsening unemployment have been the main beneficiaries of the funds because of their mere political networks and connections.

SAFTU further demands that upon testing these allegations in the tribunals or courts of law, those found guilty should be given harsh sentences. In the light of a rotten governing party, where corruption has been formalised, it is only heavy prison sentences that can serve as the deterrent to the would be looters.