IMATU CORRECTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND STAR NEWSPAPER ON ERRONEOUS AND POOR REPORTING

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) has noted with concern, the contents of an article published in The Star newspaper on 22 January 2020 entitled “End of fee deductions challenged”.

In the article it is claimed that several unions, including IMATU, have been granted certain organisational rights in respect of the deduction of membership subscriptions for civil servants.  According to Prof Richard Levin, “The National Treasury has also been requested to terminate the stop order facilities that have been unduly extended to the above-mentioned unions”.  Prof Levin is the Director-General in the Public Service and Administration Department.

IMATU refutes this statement categorically.  According to its President, Mr Keith Swanepoel: “IMATU is one of the only 2 recognised trade unions in the local government sector, and operates under the auspices of the SALGBC (South African Local Government Bargaining Council).  We do not, and have never, seek organisational rights in respect of the public sector (provincial and national government)”.

Swanepoel called on the Director-General to withdraw the remarks made concerning IMATU which reportedly contained in correspondence by the Director-General dated 20 December 2019.

The Star newspaper is also urged to properly check the facts of each matter it chooses to report on, prior to the publication of information which is not factually correct in all instances, said Swanepoel: “IMATU is always available and willing to provide the media with correct facts and information, prior to such articles being published”, concluded Swanepoel.