Latest news with #Sebei
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South African banks face scrutiny over political account closures
SA's big banks' trade policies in the spotlight Image: IOL Regulators have been warned against approaching complaints about South African banks in the same way as US president Donald Trump, who this week issued an executive order after accusing financial institutions of unacceptably restricting law-abiding individuals and businesses' access to banking services based on political or religious beliefs. Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of SA (Giwusa), an affiliate of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), said Giwusa would not support merely implementing moves similar to Trump's as the situation required the same interventions but for different reasons. Sebei said moves against the banks for being reactionary and assaulting human rights must be supported. "We also know that banks are not accountable in this country, there are political parties, trade unions, community organisations whose bank accounts were closed without an adequate explanation," he said. Sebei described banks as untransformed and that there is not much to look into as far as the banking industry and its conduct are concerned as many South Africans have suffered a lot. He said even Giwusa recently had a dispute with one of the country's major banks, which gave some members access to the union's accounts without authorisation and there were no adequate explanations. According to Sebei, companies perceived to be close to certain public figures have had their bank accounts closed without explanation. "When they close bank accounts, they are effectively condemning workers in those companies to unemployment, retrenchments and job losses. You cannot destroy a company to punish the owners," he said. Sebei said the idea that private banking institutions can take political decisions is extremely dangerous and that is why this should be strongly regulated. In addition, he said the law already provides for instances where there is suspicion of misuse of banking facilities by a client that is able to be reported to the authorities as provided for in the Financial Intelligence Commission Act. Sebei added that the current laws can be implemented without jeopardising jobs and the livelihoods of workers. "Financial services are a lubricant by which the economy is working, it has enormous power in society and in the economy that can destroy not only individuals but also companies and whole industries. These people are wielding enormous public power that has been privatised into institutions that are guided by profiteering and nothing else and want to exercise this power without transparency, accountability and even pass political judgment and that for me is deeply troubling," he said.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Trial of trio accused of feeding slain women to pigs stirs outrage for justice in South Africa
The gruesome murder trial of a white farmer and two of his workers accused of dumping the bodies of two women in a pigsty has reignited calls for justice and accountability across South African communities. This internationally watched case has been postponed until next week, and it has already sparked strong reactions from labour and human rights activists. This trial, which began on Monday at the Polokwane High Court, follows the discovery in August 2024 of the decomposed remains of Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, found within a pig's enclosure on a farm in Sebayen. The two women were reportedly killed while searching for food on a farm near Polokwane, and their bodies were then allegedly fed to pigs in an attempt to destroy evidence. Their bodies were then alleged to have been given to pigs in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence. Pig farmer Zachariah Olivier, as well as farm employees Rudolf De Wet and William Musora, face charges of murder and attempted murder for shooting at Ndlovu's husband, who was with the women at the farm, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and obstructing justice. Musora, a Zimbabwean national, is also facing an additional charge under the Immigration Act for allegedly being in the country illegally. De Wet, a 20-year-old, turned State witness when the trial started on Monday, testified that Olivier was the one who shot and killed the two women. Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa), said the union welcomes the start of the trial, despite the unjustifiable delays that have deepened the pain for the victims' families and farmworkers across the country. He further stated that the horrific crime, killing impoverished Black individuals scavenging for food and leaving their bodies for pigs to consume like refuse, exemplifies the ongoing dehumanisation faced by farmworkers. Sebei noted that this reflects a persistent system of white terror and severe exploitation still prevalent on farms. He emphasised that they are calling for the trial, along with a harsh sentence, to send a clear message that such brutality will not be tolerated in a democratic South Africa. Sebei warned that the case reveals ongoing failures to protect and support farmworkers in rural areas, who remain isolated and vulnerable due to weak government oversight, poor access to unions, and a legacy of exploitation. He stressed the need to address these issues to prevent future abuses. 'Many farmers operate as feudal lords, believing oversight won't reach them. There is a need to send a message and create conditions where this cannot be. 'The case also epitomises how racialised, exploitative labour practices persist 30 years into democracy. Although in this case the victims might not have been workers, the reign of terror they have fallen victim to directly points to the door of this parasitic system of primitive slavery.' Sebei added that while efforts to organise farmworkers, raise awareness of their rights, and provide legal assistance, these initiatives often encounter resistance from farmers who obstruct access to their farms. This challenge is further compounded by government policies that permit such obstructions. He said it' s crucial to build workers' confidence, and I believe this can be achieved through mass campaigns, rural rallies, and strong solidarity from the broader labour movement. The trial was postponed to next week. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Trial of trio accused of feeding slain women to pigs stirs outrage for justice in South Africa
A trial involving three farm workers accused of a gruesome double murder has ignited demands for justice and reforms in rural South African farming communities. The gruesome murder trial of a white farmer and two of his workers accused of dumping the bodies of two women in a pigsty has reignited calls for justice and accountability across South African communities. This internationally watched case has been postponed until next week, and it has already sparked strong reactions from labour and human rights activists. This trial, which began on Monday at the Polokwane High Court, follows the discovery in August 2024 of the decomposed remains of Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, found within a pig's enclosure on a farm in Sebayen. The two women were reportedly killed while searching for food on a farm near Polokwane, and their bodies were then allegedly fed to pigs in an attempt to destroy evidence. Their bodies were then alleged to have been given to pigs in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence. Pig farmer Zachariah Olivier, as well as farm employees Rudolf De Wet and William Musora, face charges of murder and attempted murder for shooting at Ndlovu's husband, who was with the women at the farm, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and obstructing justice. Musora, a Zimbabwean national, is also facing an additional charge under the Immigration Act for allegedly being in the country illegally. De Wet, a 20-year-old, turned State witness when the trial started on Monday, testified that Olivier was the one who shot and killed the two women. Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa), said the union welcomes the start of the trial, despite the unjustifiable delays that have deepened the pain for the victims' families and farmworkers across the country. He further stated that the horrific crime, killing impoverished Black individuals scavenging for food and leaving their bodies for pigs to consume like refuse, exemplifies the ongoing dehumanisation faced by farmworkers. Sebei noted that this reflects a persistent system of white terror and severe exploitation still prevalent on farms. He emphasised that they are calling for the trial, along with a harsh sentence, to send a clear message that such brutality will not be tolerated in a democratic South Africa. Sebei warned that the case reveals ongoing failures to protect and support farmworkers in rural areas, who remain isolated and vulnerable due to weak government oversight, poor access to unions, and a legacy of exploitation. He stressed the need to address these issues to prevent future abuses. 'Many farmers operate as feudal lords, believing oversight won't reach them. There is a need to send a message and create conditions where this cannot be. 'The case also epitomises how racialised, exploitative labour practices persist 30 years into democracy. Although in this case the victims might not have been workers, the reign of terror they have fallen victim to directly points to the door of this parasitic system of primitive slavery.' Sebei added that while efforts to organise farmworkers, raise awareness of their rights, and provide legal assistance, these initiatives often encounter resistance from farmers who obstruct access to their farms. This challenge is further compounded by government policies that permit such obstructions. He said it's crucial to build workers' confidence, and I believe this can be achieved through mass campaigns, rural rallies, and strong solidarity from the broader labour movement. The trial was postponed to next week. The Star [email protected]
