SADTU+NWC+rejects+vote+rigging+allegations,+14+September+2006

SOUTH AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC TEACHERS UNION (SADTU)

 * PRESS RELEASE**

14 September 2006

=//SADTU National Working Committee rejects vote rigging allegations//=

The allegation that vote rigging took place at the recent SADTU National Congress (//City Press// 10.09.06) refers to the fact that ballot boxes were moved from the congress venue and held in the police station overnight before the count, thus supposedly providing an opportunity for vote tampering. These concerns have been put to rest by the Electoral Institute of South Africa (Eisa) which conducted the elections.


 * The decision to store the ballot boxes overnight (Friday Sept 1) in the strong room of the Midrand Police station was agreed between Eisa and the then SADTU NWC led by President Willie Madisha.
 * The boxes were sealed in the presence of the observers appointed by each of the SADTU provinces, with each observer signing the tape sealing the boxes. The seals were inspected by Eisa and the observers before being reopened the next day.
 * The boxes were delivered to the police station and collected next day in the presence of Eisa officials and observers and transported back to the congress under police guard.
 * Counting of ballots by Eisa officials commenced at midday on Sept 2, with observers present at all times.
 * The ballot was declared free and fair by Eisa and the observers, and the results announced to Congress.

The National Working Committee (NWC) also rejects the unfounded allegation in the same article that the General Secretary abused his position by using Union resources to fund his father’s funeral. This anonymous allegation surfaced a year ago. At a national meeting of the Union individuals were invited to come forward with proof, but to date no evidence has been produced to support it. SADTU NWC therefore apologizes to the Nxesi family for any embarrassment caused by the unseemly behaviour of these dissident elements within the organization.

These smear campaigns against prominent trade unionists have been running in the //City Press// for the past four years, aided and abetted by faceless anonymous sources who tend to surface around the time of congresses in a vain attempt to sway the outcome of union elections.

It was only after the results were declared that individuals ran to the press to object to the election process and to make allegations against the General Secretary. The NWC urges these individuals to accept the outcome of the democratic process and to join with the majority of SADTU members in building a strong and united Union.

//Newly elected National Office Bearers//

The newly elected National Working Committee of SADTU held its first meeting on Wednesday September 13th at the Union’s National Office in Johannesburg. The NWC is made up of the eight National Office Bearers elected at the National Congress every four years. The NWC’s role is to oversee the running of the Union in between meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC). These office bearers will hold office for the next four years:


 * **Position** || **Elected** ||
 * President || Willie Madisha ||
 * Deputy President || Thobile M Ntola ||
 * Treasurer || Mongwena John Maluleke ||
 * Vice Pres (Education) || Matseliso Tseidi Dipholo ||
 * Vice Pres (Gender) || Nonhle Mkhulisi ||
 * Vice Pres (sport, Art & Culture) || Salome Sithole ||
 * General Secretary || Thulas Nxesi ||
 * Deputy General Secretary || Don Pasquallie ||

//SADTU represents 230,000 members – nearly two-thirds of South African teachers. SADTU is the largest union in the public sector and the second largest union in South Africa.//

CONTACTS: // 588 words//
 * //Willy Madisha, President 082 783 2967//**
 * //Thobile Ntola, Deputy President 082 809 7294//**
 * //Jon Lewis, Research & Media 082 567 5628//**