By Johnathan Paoli
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed deep disappointment with recent comments made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, where he appeared to blame unions and wage demands for declining government workforce numbers.
Cosatu provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize acknowledged the commissioner’s leadership in combating violent crime, but rejected his assertion during a stakeholder engagement on crime in Durban, that public sector staff shortages were the result of worker demands for better pay.
“While we commend Lt. Gen. Mkhwanazi and all SAPS members for their tireless work in extremely difficult conditions, his remarks are misplaced, out of context and risk creating unnecessary tension between the labour movement and law enforcement leadership,” he said on Wednesday.
The commissioner reportedly said: “The population of KZN is growing, but the number of police officers is going down thanks to the unions… the labour people who
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