As we celebrated International Nelson Mandela Day yesterday, the United National Transport Union (UNTU) is saddened that the legacy of our beloved Madiba is clouded by the serious allegations of corruption at major state-owned enterprises exposed in the so-called Gupta-e-mails.
“Madiba had a vision of a country that was to be free of poverty and corruption. He believed it was in the hands of each of us to make the world a better place. He sacrificed 27 years of his life in prison for the freedom of all South Africans, not for the benefit of a handful of corrupt individuals,” says Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.
By celebrating Madiba’s birthday, all South Africans commemorates the lifetime of service Nelson Mandela gave to South Africa and the world.
“Today we look back on what has been done and look forward to what still have to be done. The sad reality is that 23 years after democracy, a state-owned enterprise like the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) started the current financial year bankrupt with a deficit of R1,8 billion while Transnet and Eskom have been downgraded to junk status.
“The Governance and management of SOE’s in South Africa, insults the life and legacy of Madiba. Government has an obligation towards all South African taxpayers to seriously investigate its governance oversight over SOE’s,” says Harris.
UNTU’s staff at UNTU House in Houghton, Johannesburg, joined its affiliated federation, FEDUSA, in providing food, toiletries, clothing and shoes for child headed households in Orlando, Soweto, as part of its celebrations of International Nelson Mandela Day.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Statements contact 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za
