Vavi: Govt lives ‘in a wonderland’
South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) leader Zwelinzima Vavi says government leaders seem to live in their own world removed from ordinary South Africans.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and Saftu have joint forces and on Wednesday launched a news campaign dubbed ‘Cry the Excluded’.
The campaign aims to raise awareness around the struggling economy, job losses and unemployment.
The two associations, along with Assembly of the Unemployed, Mining Affected Communities United in Action and SA Green Revolutionary Council, will lead mass action across the country.
Vavi said they will start by holding a night vigil at the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, where they will present an alternative state of the nation.
#Amcu | Vavi says they will hold a night vigil at #SONA2020 where they will present the Alternative State of the Nation pic.twitter.com/VhGTqNl0z0
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 12, 2020
Vavi said there is a clear intention by some to sell state-owned entities to their friends.
He added that government officials seem to oblivious to the peoples' pleas.
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"There's a strong intention by key officials to sell the family jewels to their friends at the expense of the poor whom these key assets are vital.
"Every day that passes these cries get worse and the suffering of our people intensifies. It is as if government officials live in the wonderland.
"Do they not see the immense suffering of our people caused by economic hardships?"
Vavi warned that struggling state-owned entities are bringing the government close to collapse.
"Government is collapsing, government is collapsing. Overrun by cronyism, corruption and neglect.
"Almost every state-owned enterprise is facing a death spiral or a financial collapse. Eskom, SAA, AutoPax, Prasa are all on their knees with more workers jobs and services to the poor on the line."