Simunye Workers Forum - SWF

13/10/2026

The Campaign to Scrap the Labour Law Amendment Bills is holding 3 protests against GBVF this Saturday - Joburg, Cape Town and Sasolburg.

Please wear red t-shirts.

08/10/2026

26/09/2026

Today is the last day of the SWWF Women’s Organising Workshop, which started on Thursday.
Women workers are talking about how life has changed over the past 10-20 years and what this means for women at work, at home and in their communities.

They are sharing their experiences and making plans to organise more women and build a strong working-class women’s movement. ✊🏾

18/09/2026

Retired Workers from the Unclaimed Benefits Campaign (UBC) are protesting for their unpaid pensions outside National Treasury in Pretoria.

17/09/2026

**Press Update: A tiny step forward in battle against r**e and GBV - R**e accused pleads guilty after SWWF protest at Bronkhorstspruit court**

17 September 2026

_For interviews, call Siphokazi Mvambi, SWWF Standing Committee member on 078 295 9547 or Irene Sibanyoni on 065 522 0052._

Yesterday, members of the Simunye Women Workers Forum (SWWF) returned to the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court to protest in support of an SWWF member who was r**ed by a gardener at her workplace in 2024 but has never received justice.

The r**e trial was delayed numerous times, to the extent that SWWF had to begin protesting outside the court. Yesterday, SWWF members from Barcelona in Etwatwa, Cloverdene in Daveyton, Germiston and Primrose attended. Members of the SWF Standing Committee and women from the Casual Workers Advice Office also joined the protest.

The case has faced serious problems. The police previously did not bring evidence to court. It was only eventually brought in yesterday. The police officer responsible for the investigation has repeatedly called in sick whenever there was a court date. Again, the officer failed to arrange transport for a witness yesterday and SWWF members had to fetch the witness and bring them to court.

The strong SWWF presence outside the court made an impact. Police were called. An inspector sat inside the courtroom to ensure that the matter was attended to. In another case, the magistrate referred to the protest outside and said the court did not want a similar scene.

The case began at 12:42pm. SWWF was told that the accused had suddenly decided to plead guilty after he saw that the case wasn't going away. We were told this could change how the case proceeded because his lawyer could ask for a lighter sentence. SWWF made it clear that a guilty plea does not entitle the ra**st to a lesser sentence and we demanded that he must get the full sentence for r**e.

When the court resumed at 2:25pm, the accused pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced on 28 October 2026. SWWF will hold another protest outside the court on that date.

SWWF welcomes the guilty plea but will continue supporting its member and demanding justice until the sentencing is complete. This case shows that women, especially Black working class women, have to organise large protests in order to receive justice. Survivors of gender-based violence should not have to fight police failures and court delays simply to have their cases heard.

[ends]

15/09/2026

*ZGG Farm Workers on strike!*

ZGG Farm workers have downed tools again today after once more being short-paid their salaries. This is not an isolated mistake but part of a long pattern of wage theft and attacks.

The farm boss stopped paying them in June 2023, then fired seven workers for refusing to sign new and worse contracts! This included workers who had toiled on the farm for 13 years.

The workers fought back, won reinstatement and backpay at the CCMA, and returned to work in June 2024.

In January 2025 they were forced to strike again after their December wages were not paid, winning payment of the outstanding salaries and a further amount of backpay owed to several workers.

In January 2026, workers defeated the employer in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court after he repeatedly tried to avoid paying the National Minimum Wage, with the court authorising the sheriff to attach goods from the farm to recover the money.

The goods were attached. Yet this boss has not learned his lesson! ZGG workers have won at the CCMA, in court and through strike action! The strong force of workers have vowed to keep fighting until every cent they have earned is paid!

15/09/2026

SWWF members and supporters are outside the Bronkhorspruit Court, standing in solidarity with our member and demanding justice.

We stand together. We stand for fairness. We stand for justice.✊

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

The Forum held its 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today attended by 144 workers representing 22 different workplaces.
The AGM successfully elected a new Standing Committee, which will serve until the next Annual General Meeting.

The newly elected Standing Committee members are as follows: Siphokazi Mvambi, Lengana Mnisi, Matsoanelo Motomotomo, Semaka Moshokoa, Nomkhitha Satu, Gladys Thaane, Siza Mlambo, Gladman Ntulini, Andrew Tlaka and Xoliswa Ncayi.