14/05/2026
NPSWU President Vela Ngubane radio interview🎙️ in response to our media statement released yesterday✊🏾
MEDIA STATEMENT: NPSWU Calls for Respect of
Constitutional Institutions and
Protection of Workers’
Interests
The National Public Service Workers Union (NPSWU) expresses its deep concern
and outright rejection of the President’s decision not to resign following the recent
judgment of the Constitutional Court regarding the 2022 parliamentary vote that
dropped the impeachment inquiry process.
As workers and as defenders of constitutional democracy, we view the President’s
decision to seek a review of the Constitutional Court judgment as a dark cloud
hanging over South Africa’s democracy. The Constitutional Court is the highest court
in the Republic, and its judgments must be respected and upheld by all citizens,
including the President himself.
The ruling of the Constitutional Court paved the way for Parliament to establish an
impeachment committee after the Court found that the 2022 vote to abandon the
inquiry process was unlawful. Instead of respecting the authority of the judiciary and
allowing constitutional processes to unfold, the President’s actions send a dangerous
message that court decisions can be ignored or challenged simply because they are
politically inconvenient.
This conduct weakens public confidence in the rule of law and undermines the
foundations of our constitutional democracy.
As workers, we are directly affected by political instability, weakening institutions, and
the erosion of accountability. When leadership is consumed by legal and political
battles:
• Investor confidence declines, affecting economic growth and job creation.
• Service delivery suffers as government attention shifts away from the needs
of ordinary citizens.
• Corruption and lack of accountability continue unchecked, resulting in public
funds being diverted away from essential services such as healthcare,
education, housing, and worker development.
• Workers continue to face unemployment, poverty, rising costs of living, and
uncertainty while leaders avoid accountability.
NPSWU believes that no individual is above the Constitution or the law of South
Africa. The integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all costs.
We therefore call upon the President to place the interests of the country above
personal political interests and respect the authority of the Constitutional Court and
Parliament.
South Africa’s democracy was built on the principles of accountability, transparency,
and constitutional supremacy. These principles must never be compromised.
Issued by:
Office of the President
National Public Service Workers Union (NPSWU)
Date: 12
13 May 2026
