‘Blindsided’: Unions unite against govt’s IPP plans

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi says the multi-billion rand project is not in line with the tripartite alliance's policy.

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi at the NUM march outside the Union Buildings on 17 November 2018. Picture: Bonga Dlulane/EWN

Bonga Dlulane | 17 November 2018 11:31

JOHANNESBURG - Trade union federations Cosatu and Numsa are calling on Energy Minister Jeff Radebe to rethink the signing of Eskom’s Independent Power Producers contracts.

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi says the multi-billion rand project is not in line with the tripartite alliance's policy.
Losi is attending the National Union of Mineworkers march to the Union Buildings against the implementations of the IPP.

Cosatu and Numsa have set aside their differences at least for today. The trade union federations are united Eskom and government’s IPP project.

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi says the ANC-led government blindsided the union by signing the IPP contracts.

“The minister signed without any discussions with us. When we raised this issue, the minister argued and said when he was given the papers to sign….”

National Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola explains why they’re supporting the march.

“It’s a deliberate tactic deployed by the state because they want to justify privatisation.”

Radebe is expected to receive the memorandum at the Union Buildings.

Camps set outside the Union Buildings BD pic.twitter.com/n9f29ChDt5
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 17, 2018

[INTERESTING] these can be seen at the union Buildings. Apparently a number of people have been camping outside against government BD pic.twitter.com/pUwZXytuvc
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 17, 2018

#NumMarch they have arrived at Union Buildings in their numbers. Workers and members expecting to handover memorandum. BD pic.twitter.com/olANU0BPAl
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 17, 2018