FEDUSA Welcomes Postponement of SONA

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes the postponement of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2018 to force Jacob Zuma to step down as President of the Republic of South Africa. The Zuma administration was dogged by scandal after scandal, our country was embarrassed internationally, the Constitutional Court rebuked him for failing to implement the recommendations of the Public Protector, he refused to act in the best interest of the country when he reshuffled cabinet 11 times and crashed the economy by appointing five finance ministers.

The Public Protector’s report implicates Zuma of improper and unethical conduct, advancing improper relationships and involvement of the Gupta family in the removal and appointment of ministers and directors of State Owned Entities (SOEs) resulting in improper and possibly corrupt award of state contracts and benefits to the Gupta family’s businesses. FEDUSA will not entertain any behind the scenes amnesty deals with Zuma and other in exchange for resigning as President. FEDUSA demands that the law should be allowed to take it full cause.

The corrupt and self-centred leadership style of Zuma caused deep political uncertainty, low economic growth and job crises that have gripped South Africa. President Jacob Zuma allegedly refused to step down from office following a crucial meeting with the top six officials of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.

FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George said the postponement of the SONA will give our country an invaluable opportunity to stabilize the situation by electing a new leader to replace President Zuma under whose watch South Africa has been flung into a series of profound socio-economic difficulties such as the sovereign credit rate downgrading to sub-investment grade or junk status by Standard and Poor, Fitch and Moody’s; the cash flow and governance crisis at Eskom and other state owned enterprises; state capture in cahoots with the controversial Gupta family; and rampant corruption across the public sector.

FEDUSA commits itself to work closely with the social partner leaders representing government, business and organised labour to development a contingency recovery economic plan for South Africa to achieve higher inclusive economic growth and employment creation concluded George.

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FEDUSA is the largest politically non-aligned trade union federation in South Africa and represents a diverse membership from a variety of sectors in industry.  See www.fedusa.org.za for more information.

For interviews please contact:

Dennis George

FEDUSA General Secretary

Cell: 084 805 1529

Issued by:

Frank Nxumalo

FEDUSA Media and Research Officer

Cell: 072 637 8096