Call for deported leader to be axed
THE Democratised Transport Logistics and Allied Workers’ Union (Detawu) on Friday called for the immediate dismissal of Zenzo Mahlangu as the investment subcommittee chairperson and board member of the Private Security Sector Provident Fund.
Mahlangu, a general secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), was deported to Zimbabwe on May 4 after a Department of Home Affairs investigation into his nationality revealed he was living in South Africa without the necessary permits.
Mahlangu, a Zimbabwean national and a powerful unionist within the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), sits on the board of the Provident Fund.
Vusi Ntshangase, Detawu’s general secretary, said Mahlangu “could not be trusted” to preside over South African workers’ monies because he was reportedly deported as an illegal immigrant. He added that his union views allegations against Mahlangu in a serious light, although Satawu has refuted them.
“Detawu has noted with great concern the recent revelation on the original citizenship and… deportation of… Mr Zenzo Mahlangu… We note that this allegation has been refuted by his union,” Ntshangase said.
“We call upon the Private Security Sector Provident Fund to dismiss him, both as their fund investment subcommittee chairperson and fund board member with immediate effect on the basis that he cannot be trusted to preside and hold a fiducial duty over South African workers’ monies.”
Ntshangase added that the previous Private Security Sector Provident Fund board, whose term finished in 2016, had vetted all new trustees to ascertain if they were in good standing. He said the current board seems not to do this. He added that if the board ignores Detawu’s call, his union will mobilise its members to mount pressure on the board.