The African National Congress (ANC) has ordered its KwaZulu-Natal secretary, Bheki Mtolo, to apologise for comments he made over the National, Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU). Mtolo has also been ordered to retract the comment.

NO DISRESPECT

Mtolo accused Nehawu of poor service delivery at public sector facilities during an event in July. He complained about long queues at Home Affairs offices, clinics and SASSA facilities and said Nehawu workers were primarily not doing their jobs properly. "Comrade Mtolo's remarks were unfortunate, and the platform chosen to air such views fuelled the tensions rather than a constructive political engagement between members of the alliance. We've therefore resolved that comrade Bheki Mtolo, the provincial secretary of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, will issue an unconditional apology to Nehawu and retract the unfortunate remarks he made," ANC secretary-general Fikile aid Mbalula said yesterday at a press briefing held at Lithuli house. The media briefing comes after a meeting by the ANC Nehawu president Mike Shingange, Cosatu secretary-general Solly Phetoe and Mtolo.

LAWSUIT

Mtolo's rant prompted Nehawu to file a R2-million lawsuit against him and the ANC at the Pietermaritzburg High Court. Mbalula said the legal action highlighted the seriousness of the dispute and the urgent need for a resolution. Mbalula said the Monday meeting concluded that, in turn of the retraction, Nehawu would also drop the charges in relation to the matter. "Going forward, we have agreed to conduct a joint programme in KwaZulu-Natal with Cosatu and Nehawu to engage with the workers on the ground and clear the air on matters that have polarised relations as a result,' he said.