Prime News | 01 May 2026

Added: 2026-05-08

[00:00:11]We are coming to you live from our Oakland Park studios. This is Prime News on SABC3. And here's what's dominating in your leads at this hour.

[00:00:22]Let us all do everything in our power to avoid the fragmentation of the working class struggles.

[00:00:33]>> First up, simmering tensions in the ANC alliance dominated the main Kosatu workers day celebrations in Limpopo.

[00:00:44]One of the country's biggest labor federations, Federusa, is threatening a shutdown should the government employee medical scheme not decrease the 9 9.5% increase as instructed.

[00:00:58]>> We'll continue to fight for the rights of the workers and the working class all over South Africa, Africa and the diaspora.

[00:01:08]And EFF leader Julius Malma says that the aim of today's workers day event is to honor the memory of those killed in the Marana massacre, especially those who have yet to receive justice or compensation.

[00:01:27]A very good evening to you all and welcome to Prime News on SABC3. My name is Beu Mum, your host for this evening.

[00:01:35]Now today is workers day and in our context a day set aside to honor the quiet courage of South Africa's labor force. We invite you to stay with us as we reflect on that and much much more.

[00:01:45]Let's get straight into your leads.

[00:01:56]We launch with this as simmering tensions in the ANC alliance dominated the main Kosatu workers day celebrations in Limpopo. Leaders of the ANC, Kosatu, SACP, and Senko decrieded the state of the alliance following the SACP's decision to contest elections independently. Last week, the ANC gave all of its members with dual membership 10 days to choose whether they will be campaigning for the ANC or the SACP.

[00:02:24]still grappling to come to terms with the SACP's decision to go it alone in the future elections. The party has attributed this decision to what it deemed the AC's failure to reconfigure the alliance for more than 22 years.

[00:02:40]Whilst we respect the decision of the AACP to contest the coming local government elections, let us all do everything in our power to avoid the fragmentation of the working class struggles.

[00:02:58]>> And then it was time for the SACP to respond.

[00:03:02]We need levelheadedness.

[00:03:07]>> OTHERWISE, WE WILL TOLERATE WORKING WITH THE ENEMY AND BECOME INTOLERANT WITH WORKING WITH OUR ALLIES.

[00:03:16]>> As part of the pack that has been calling for the reconfiguration of the alliance for years, Kosatu is now calling for unity.

[00:03:25]>> This alliance must be united.

[00:03:31]WE MUST ALWAYS remind ourselves THAT WE ARE ALLIES AND NOT OPPONENTS.

[00:03:38]>> Seno also weighed in on the issue.

[00:03:41]>> WE THEREFORE CALL UPON ALLIANCE component to rethink the future otherwise history will judge us harshly.

[00:03:52]SBC News.

[00:03:57]As the country marks workers day, many unions are moving away from pure political activism towards affording value beyond traditional labor disputes.

[00:04:06]In a shifting economic landscape, unions are increasingly functioning as service providers offering their members funeral cover, holiday discounts, and tertiary burseries.

[00:04:18]>> For years, the sound of workers day was defined by political slogans. But today, the bread and butter issues have expanded. Unions are falling behind on the ability to provide relevant services to their members to enable them to create stability within their work environments and to create futures for themselves.

[00:04:42]>> The National Union of Mind Workers believes efforts have been channeled over time towards improving the lives of workers.

[00:04:50]It was the NM that fought for mine workers in this country to have proven fund. As you know that mine workers did not have a proven fund.

[00:05:02]>> Sat's Amanda Chimes says they too have played their part in looking out for their members.

[00:05:09]>> Satu membership provides access to a structured system of direct benefits and support.

[00:05:16]>> FedEusa is the country's second largest trade union federation. one of its union solidarity wants to be seen as more than just a labor union representing workers on the shop floors.

[00:05:27]>> We also establish an occupational network where you can from the if you're in the finance industry, medical industry, if you're artisan, doesn't matter which industry, there's a network in which you become part of the network.

[00:05:39]>> Fu says in the age of heightened exploitation by employers, unions remains workers last hope. When the bosses decide to kick you or dismiss you as a registered union, we have the local stand to represent you at the CCMA.

[00:05:59]>> SABC News, Johannesburg.

[00:06:04]>> To this now, Koen Premier Baza Lisufi says that the tender system will soon be a thing of the past in the province as government builds internal capacity to deliver services. The Sufi was speaking at the 140th commemoration of International Workers Day hosted by Kosatu in Brapan Eurin.

[00:06:24]Brave the morning chill to commemorate workers day in Ken under the theme building workingass unity for economic liberation towards socialism. These laws that we have amassed, we must defend them. Comrade, we must defend them because we are going to pay a price if we are taking them for granted. Koen chairperson and premier Pazali Sufi told attendees that the provincial government is working to phase out the tender system and strengthen its capability to deliver services directly. We can't have tenders to fix graves. We can't have tenders to fix CITY HALLS. WE CAN'T HAVE tenders to fix our roads. We can't have tenders to fix our stadiums. We must hire our own people that are unemployed.

[00:07:13]>> Workers attending the commemorations expressed mixed views on the significance of workers day.

[00:07:17]>> I would like to see free to express their concerns and their dissatisfactions to employer. It is important for us as workers of South Africa to to participate in this m celebration because of the gains that we have made.

[00:07:34]Our forebears fought so hard to do where we are right now. Offenses estim >> one of the country's biggest labor federations Federusa is threatening a shutdown should the government employee medical scheme not increase the 9.5% increase as instructed earlier this week the federation gave the scheme until the 6th of May to review the contribution fee for public servants was marking workers day at one of our biggest correctional facilities the Johannesburg central prison also known as Sun We we we have already indicated to them that um if they don't come back with a reasonable decrease of that 9A 5%. We will pursue other means that would assist us to remedy the situation. One of them is also of course calling for a national shutdown.

[00:08:35]Ferusa has over 20 affiliates across all labor sectors.

[00:08:40]>> Our demand is that they reduce the amount that they've already put and it is for that reason that we have given a week within which they must come back to us.

[00:08:48]>> One of the federation's affiliates says some members opted to quit their medical aid cover after the steep increase.

[00:08:56]>> Uh most of the workers in particular within your lower as well as middle wage are really faced with a problem. For example, starting from your uh the provision of the food services, your transport services, those are majority that are using your public transport and really it's affecting them because they cannot afford the public transport. Now they're facing a situation whereby they have really have to choose between the medical aid as well as providing now for their families.

[00:09:20]>> Among other bodies invited to attend the event was the commission for consiliation, mediation and arbitration, CCMA, as well as the department of labor. Unfair dismissals and wage disputes are common labor issues brought before the CCMA by workers across all sectors.

[00:09:38]But the CCMA has also been under scrutiny with allegations that it is both inaccessible and slow when it comes to resolving disputes.

[00:09:48]>> We are moving with the the technological advances in that how you can access the CCMA. You can do it online through online platforms and you can also come face to face cuz we've we've we've kept the hybrid model.

[00:10:01]>> Ferusa also called for adjustments in the wake of the growth of artificial intelligence. Nvy Danjana SAP News Johannesburg.

[00:10:19]Welcome back to Prime News on SABC 3.

[00:10:21]The economic freedom fighters leader Julas Malma says that the aim of today's workers day event is to honor the memory of those killed in the Maragana massacre, especially those who are yet to receive justice or compensation.

[00:10:34]Malima was speaking during the workers day commemoration at Clappy Stadium in Maragana in the northwest.

[00:10:41]will continue to fight for the rights of the workers and the working class all over South Africa, Africa and the diaspora fighters. You can't have a mine here and have shacks next to a mine under the EFF government. That will be declared illegal. There must be a mine here. There must be beautiful houses here. There must be a mine here. There must be beautiful schools here. There must be a mine here. There must be beautiful hospitals here. There must be a mine here. There must be 24-hour clinics next to the mine because that mine is going to bring diseases to our township. Therefore, they must bring medicine because they brought diseases to our township.

[00:11:32]It's only fair that every street must have a road. Every street must have street lines. Why we can afford >> trade union federation safu says that federations must address divisions within the labor movement in order to unite for job creation and the protection of workers rights in South Africa. This comes ahead of federation congresses later this year.

[00:12:00]Safu says the crisis of unemployment, retrenchments and austerity is an erosion of society's rights and that unions must iron out its divisions so that the interests of workers and the unemployed are prioritized.

[00:12:15]are just a statement that are issued every time in particular when we have to go through the voting processes h the sauna each and every time because we don't keep the politicians accountable of their promises that's why they are willing to give promises at any given time without accountability >> this year's commemoration comes at a time when unemployment stands officially at 31.4% 4% coupled with a rising cost of living.

[00:12:43]>> Many of those who were in the trenches with us took an offramp.

[00:12:51]An offramp to accumulate wealth for themselves.

[00:12:59]When we live in a sea of poverty, when there are children going to bed hungry, when some amongst us have given up on looking for a job because there is no jobs.

[00:13:20]>> Union says a collective and intensified effort is needed to prevent the regression of workers hard one rights.

[00:13:27]Vanessa Puna, SABC News, Cape Town.

[00:13:32]>> Kosatu has called for unity within the tripartite alliance, adding that workers should not be divided over politics.

[00:13:39]First deputy president of Kosatu, Michael Shingang says workers are the most affected by the squables between the alliance partners.

[00:13:50]Fondane stadium was painted red by workers who came out in numbers despite the unfavorable weather. They were united in their call for government and other employers to stop overlooking the needs of workers. The high cost of leaving, low wages and disregard of workers rights remain banning issues for them. Kosadu has warned that unions are running the risk of being irrelevant if they fail to focus on servicing workers.

[00:14:20]>> WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE POOR SYSTEM SO THAT IT MUST ALLEVIATE THE POVERTY THE INDEPED WORKERS THAT THEY MUST EXCESS THEIR PATIENT BUT S com withdrawn. The ANC has also pleaded for unity in the alliance ahead of the local government elections. IF WE ARE UNITED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO END INEQUALITY, POVERTY, AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

[00:14:52]If we ARE UNITED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO END GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE. Kosatu also pledged solidarity with workers across the world and it reiterated its calls for a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mala Masiden SBC News Belt Fund.

[00:15:18]After the break, scores of residents and fossures took to the streets in protest following the disappearance of a local Spaza shop owner. We bring you more details on this when we return.

[00:15:35]Thank you for staying with us. Scores of residents in Fossurus east of Johannesburg have taken to the streets in protest following the disappearance of a Spaza shop owner. Mazu Kuba was last seen a month ago. His disappearance is reportedly linked to ongoing disputes over turf between Spaza shops in the area.

[00:16:00]Distraught parents in Egen say they are having sleepless nights after their son went missing early last month in for Mazuga went to a bank on the 2nd of April to deposit the profits from his pasa shop.

[00:16:15]We believe that he was kidnapped after refusing to hand over his pasa shop to the Pakistan.

[00:16:22]One of the community leaders tam known as futa says they have decided to put their differences aside as political parties and assist the family to find their son.

[00:16:32]>> I took a initiative as as as a concerned South Africa on what is happening in our country. How many of us that they must be kidnapped because h the kidnapping is not goes with the political party. It's a it's a something that is happening to anybody. Family members say they have struggled to sleep since Mazu's disappearance and they pray every day that he returns home alive.

[00:16:59]>> As a family, we are finding it hard to deal with this. We don't sleep at night.

[00:17:03]We pray that he's found alive. We also pray for his safe return.

[00:17:07]>> Residents urged government to close all Spaza shops owned by foreign nationals in the area. They say if not they will have to do it themselves. Calvin Rula, SAPC News for Loras.

[00:17:21]>> Former social development spokesperson Luma Olifant has hit back at minister CCC Toach for accusing her of lying to parliament. This follows a statement issued by the department that Olifant has embarked on a campaign of misinformation making unsubstantiated and misleading allegations against the department and the ministry.

[00:17:43]Social development says the allegations made by Olant are meant to divert the attention from the real reasons behind her dismissal. It also says it has concerned by attempts to implicate the minister personally in matters that fall outside her current portfolio of responsibilities.

[00:18:03]Minister of Social Development Miss Nozzic Dash has noted what appears to be a deliberate and sustained attempt to mislead the public and undermine her leadership through the circulation of distorted narratives.

[00:18:17]>> But Olifand is sticking by her words.

[00:18:21]>> Did not lie to Parliament. She did.

[00:18:26]I did not advertise the post of the DG without the president's approval.

[00:18:33]I did not steal cars from the ANC women's league or the ANC.

[00:18:41]The department says at an appropriate time, Tasha will present a full factual account on all matters within her responsibility to parliament. In another development, at least two political parties, Action SA and the DA have laid criminal charges against store for us. Your forecast is coming up next.

[00:19:45]Heat. Heat.

[00:19:54]Heat. Heat.

[00:20:30]Heat. Heat.

[00:20:50]Heat. Heat.

[00:21:20]and that brings us to the end of our broadcast on this workers day evening.

[00:21:24]Whatever tomorrow holds, be it shift work, rest or road trip, may it be safe and may it be fair. Until next time, from myself, Becky and the team, it's good night South Africa.