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Cosatu’s secretary general, Bheki Ntshalintshali, warned that the country could become a “mafia state” and susceptible to a coup if things continue as they are.
Cosatu Secretary General Bheki Ntshalintshali. Image: Sethembiso Zulu / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Cosatu has outlined several dire scenarios that could happen to South Africa if corruption and mismanagement continue in government and business.
In an extensive interview with Eyewitness newsCosatu’s secretary general, Bheki Ntshalintshali, warned that the country could become a “mafia state” and susceptible to a coup if things continue as they are.
Of the country’s working-age population of more than 38 million people, only 14 million are employed while poverty persists.
Ntshalintshali has painted a bleak future for the country and its citizens if society and workers do not oppose the continued looting of public funds.
In an interview with Eyewitness news Before the federation’s Section 77 national strike on Wednesday, Ntshalintshali said the country faced three threats:
A dictatorship; a mafia state, where it will be the survival of the fittest and end the unions; or a hit.
OBSERVE: Cosatu warns that SA could become a mafia state if nothing is done
He said that this was why all South Africans had to feel compelled to act now.
“But what people would do then is read the story and say where others were when this was happening. We said if you can show them, I think they will spit on the graves of those who were there and say you did nothing.
“Because sometimes what we are supposed to do now is not for our interest, but for future generations who will wonder, why did you allow this to happen?”
Wednesday’s protest action will include massive protests by workers from all sectors of the economy after the South African Federation of Trade Unions, to which the country’s largest union Numsa belongs, supported the strike.
DECREASED INFLUENCE
Cosatu, as a member of the ANC alliance, has admitted to having lost influence in the government, although he maintained that he still had the political support of the party.
The organization has been on hold for its continued loyalty to the ruling party, after years of broken promises.
Ntshalintshali said Eyewitness news that the growth of the right in the ANC has led to the loss of the federation’s political power in government.
The federation that represents 1.6 million workers – the majority of whom work in the public service – will be on strike against the government on Wednesday for, among other issues, the failure to increase the salaries of civil servants this year to despite a pre-existing agreement.
Despite saying that Cosatu had the support of the ANC, Ntshalintshali added that members of the federation were questioning this, as he no longer dominated wage negotiations with the government, among other mandates.
“The question that is asked each time is what type of government can enter a collective government and implement it for two years and not implement it in recent years and question the constitutionality of that agreement.
“Those workers are asking those questions. Members wonder why we should continue to support the ANC, ”said Ntshalintshali.
LOOK: Cosatu: We continually evaluate our support for the ANC
Some of Cosatu’s affiliates have threatened to withdraw their support for the party in the upcoming local government elections if the government’s stance towards workers is not changed.
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