Union won't miss Lekota...

2008-09-23 21:30

Johannesburg - The SA National Defence Union (Sandu) on Tuesday welcomed the resignation of Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and labelled it "good riddance".

"We have taken note of and welcome the long overdue resignation of the Lekota," union national secretary Pikkie Greeff said in a statement.

According to Sandu, during Lekota's term in office he built an "exemplary record in undermining" the rights of military trade unions and their membership and "firmly" established his department as an unashamed union basher.

"The fact that Lekota has indicated his unwillingness to serve under the new leadership is simply a continuation of his firm record of rejecting the mass labour movement in South Africa."

Greeff said the minister was walking away from a department infested with the "legacy of denialism, corruption, nepotism and lack of respect for the sufferings of the poor working class soldier".

"This department over the past four years alone wasted in excess of R7m in taxpayers' money unsuccessfully attempting to prove that soldiers have no labour rights and no say in their salaries or service benefits.

"All this whilst it is crippled by a lack of political leadership, drained of expertise, plagued by bad management practices and of which the morale of the ordinary rank and file is at its lowest level ever."

"Such is the legacy of the honourable Minister Lekota. Good riddance."

Lekota's spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi asked whether the trade union had given any proof of what it was saying.

"This [the allegations] has no substance...you can't come to me and say he is saying this, without proof," said Mkhwanazi.

- SAPA