Mtolo issues apology to Nehawu

The African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, Bheki Mtolo, has issued an apology to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).

This after he accused the union of being the cause behind poor service delivery in various government departments including Home Affairs and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

In a statement, Mtolo says he withdraws the remarks that created an environment of mistrust and unnecessary provocation between the provincial ANC and Nehawu.

His comment resulted in Nehawu suing him and the ANC for R2 million for defamation.

Mtolo says there was a meeting yesterday between the ANC in KZN, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the leadership of the health workers’ union to normalise relations.

Mtolo says his remarks about Nehawu were made in retaliation to the criticism levelled at the former governing party for participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The criticism was made at Nehawu’s Political School, but this was not the official stance of the union.

Mtolo says ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula in the meeting implored ANC leaders not to be hostile to constructive criticism.

Below is the ANC’s Provincial Secretary in KZN, Bheki Mtolo’s apology to NEHAWU. At a press briefing earlier today, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced that Mtolo would issue an apology to NEHAWU and formally retract his statements in writing #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/j7ZifQTN2k

— Natasha Nokuthula Phiri (@NatashaN_Phiri) September 2, 2024