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SAMWU's New President Advocates for Ending Outsourcing to Combat Corruption
Nkhetheni Muthavhi, the newly elected president of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) in Mpumalanga, is advocating for municipalities to end the practice of outsourcing. Muthavhi contends that politicians are undermining municipal workers by awarding contracts to outside firms in exchange for kickbacks, which fosters corruption.
Muthavhi stated this week to the Sunday Times that politicians are the ones who prefer outsourcing from which they benefit, even though the public may see municipal workers as lazy. He was recently elected president of SAMWU in Mpumalanga. Approximately 74% of unionized local government employees belong to the Cosatu-affiliated union. Muthavhi has added his voice to the growing calls for municipalities to end the tender system. He says that the tender system undermines the function of municipal workers and enables corruption to spread. Muthavhi referenced the Madlanga commission, saying, "People are rigging tenders."
Key Facts
- Nkhetheni Muthavhi is the newly elected president of SAMWU in Mpumalanga.
- Muthavhi is advocating for municipalities to abandon the tender system.
- Muthavhi says that outsourcing undermines the role of municipal workers and enables corruption.
- SAMWU's president says politicians get kickbacks from private contractors.
- Muthavhi says there should be a remunicipalisation of municipal services.
- Muthavhi says that much of the work in municipalities is outsourced, even though workers are employed, causing duplication.
- Approximately 74% of unionized local government employees belong to SAMWU.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Times LIVE — New Samwu boss slams outsourcing as a corruption driver