Biggest Government Workers' Union Could Be Shut Down
The Public Servants Association (PSA) is a union that represents about 245,000 government workers in South Africa. It is the third-largest public service union in the country. The Labour Registrar, Lehlohonolo Molefe, has announced that he wants to cancel the PSA's registration. He says the union did not follow the law by not submitting audited financial statements and membership records.
Why is this happening?
The law (Labour Relations Act) requires all unions to keep proper records and submit them to the registrar. The PSA failed to do this for sections 98, 99, and 100 of the Act. This means they did not audit their money, keep records of members and meetings, or give the registrar annual reports.
What could happen next?
The PSA has 60 days to explain why it should not be deregistered. If the registrar decides to go ahead, the union will likely go to court. This could take years. The threat of deregistration may also cause fights among union leaders. Many workers worry that without the PSA, they will lose a strong voice in salary talks and other work issues.
What does the union say?
The PSA's general manager, Reuben Maleka, says the registrar has been against them since 2021. He says they tried to fix the problems but were always stopped. He believes the government wants to silence the union. Maleka warns that public servants would lose a powerful defender if the PSA is deregistered.
Why does the PSA matter?
The PSA plays a big role in bargaining for better wages and conditions. In 2025, it helped negotiate a three-year pay deal that gave over 1.3 million public servants a 5.5% salary increase. This deal also included higher allowances for housing, danger pay, and police services. Without the PSA, future negotiations may be weaker for workers.
What are the risks?
Labour expert Michael Bagraim says deregistering the PSA would be very serious. It could lead to years of court fights and internal union problems. He believes the union must change its structure to follow the law, but he does not think it will actually be shut down.
For now, the PSA is still operating. But workers who are members should watch the news closely. If the union is deregistered, it will no longer be able to represent them in official talks with the government.
This article was originally published on TimesLIVE.
