The Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela has reserved judgment on an application brought forward by National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) Ehlanzeni Region members, to invalidate the list of the union members that are set to represent the region in the upcoming provincial congress.

They are arguing that the regional secretary did not consult the members before compiling the list and that there has not been a formal meeting to nominate and elect their preferred representatives.

The decision has been reserved to later this week by Acting Judge, Lungile Bhengu.

“Ehlanzeni is the biggest region in the province that submits a huge number of delegates in the congress. If we continue in the state where we are; where names are submitted without the endorsement of the regional executive committee that says Ehlanzeni will not have the voice because the people who are going to represent Ehlanzeni will not have a mandate from us so that they speak to the issue of our preferred leadership in the province,” says regional committee member Selby Mabele.

Meanwhile, provincial NEHAWU secretary, Welcome Mnisi says these issues are normal during congress sittings and planning.

“As NEHAWU nationwide, we have already convened six provincial congresses and we are left with three now which is Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. In those provinces, there were issues that were raised because ordinarily when you go to a congress there will be issues,” says Mnisi.

He says the union will rise above the situation and resolve the issue.

“By the time we are done with everything, we remain united as members of this organisation,” he adds.