The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has responded to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s comments regarding the appointment of election staff for next year’s poll.
The two parties have engaged in a tit-for-tat battle over the issue, with Sadtu demanding an apology from Malema for his statements that Sadtu members would compromise the elections in favour of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
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Elections in South Africa are organized by the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC), which often utilizes schools, community centres, and other public amenities as election venues.
Temporary roles at voting stations, such as presiding officers and other positions, are often filled by school principals, school management team members, and/or teachers, including those aligned with Sadtu. Political parties are allowed to appoint their party agents to oversee the process and ensure no voter fraud takes place.
Malema has called on EFF members to ensure that there is a party agent at every voting station in the country. He stated, “We must make sure that staff members of the IEC are not Sadtu members because Cosatu said it’s going to support the ANC, and Sadtu is an affiliate of Cosatu.”
Malema made these remarks at the Ground Forces Forum, where he claimed that Cosatu had declared its support for the ANC, and Sadtu is affiliated with Cosatu.
Sadtu has condemned Malema’s statements and threats. The union believes that his remarks demonstrate a high level of ignorance regarding the rights and responsibilities of South Africans in supporting constitutional democracy.
Sadtu considers Malema’s statement to be bordering on hate speech, unfair discrimination, and an incitement to harm individuals. The union further argues that these statements are intended to frustrate the efforts of the IEC to conduct a free and fair election, as has been the case since the dawn of democracy.
However, Sadtu states that Malema’s speech did not come as a surprise, given the recent expulsion of EFF members for allegedly failing to organize transportation to the party’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
The union questions the implications of a party that claims to champion the cause of the working class but demonstrates ignorance and an anti-worker stance.
Sadtu raises concerns that if this party were to secure a majority vote, the rights of workers would be trampled upon in the same or worse ways as the rights of its own members.
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Sadtu asserts that only an organization that disregards rights can act in such a manner. According to the union, the EFF is struggling to understand the fundamentals of constitutional democracy, electoral laws, and procedures in South Africa.
“EFF appears unable to distinguish between a trade union and a political party. Neither Cosatu nor Sadtu are political parties.
“The law only prohibits persons who hold senior positions in political parties from being appointed as election officials,” it explained.
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