We, the members of SASBO the finance union request that COSATU, as the federation our union is affiliated to, to urgently intervene into the crisis that is playing itself out in SASBO.

Through formal communication to the members, the General Secretary has taken over full control of the union.

The member's rights to vote for their own office-bearers is being severely undermined, as the general secretary has already "appointed" a president and is shoving them down the member's throats, whether they accept this person or not.

The elected management committee is being disregarded, which is concerning as the management committee is ordinarily responsible for all assets and finances of the union. This neglection and disregard of the management committee therefore gives the General Secretary (and the appointed president, who was not elected in any congress) autonomy over all union affairs and finances.

We appeal to the federation to please assist us in rescuing our union, which is amongst the oldest unions in the country, at 106 years of existence.