Founding president of the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Petrus Mashishi has died.
The union says Mashishi passed away at his home in Johannesburg earlier on Wednesday.
The cause of his death has not been divulged at this stage.
Mashishi served the union for more than 20 years as a shop steward and president.
Samwu spokesperson Papiki Mohale said: “We, as a union, are lowering our banners in remembrance of comrade Mashishi for the dedication and work he had done since the inception of Samwu until his retirement.”
Today, we have learnt with great sadness the passing of #SAMWU founding President Petrus Mashishi. Comrade Mashishi passed away at his home this morning. He served the union for more than 20 years as a shopsteward and president says #SAMWU @ewnupdates @SABCNewsOnline @eNCA pic.twitter.com/RvDnk2l6Dh
— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) July 4, 2018
Comrade Mashishi was elected Samwu president at its inaugural congress in 1987 following a merger of a number of unions including the Transport and General Workers Union which he was a shop steward of,” said Mathe.
“Following his election as Samwu president, Comrade Mashishi proceeded to serve the union with diligence and dedication for more than 20 years as its number one shop steward and president.”
He said Mashishi was loved and respected by municipal workers across the country which earned him the tittle of “the union’s man”.
#RIPPetrusMashishi succumbed to illness this morning. A founding President THAT became longest serving President 1987-2009. He is from the generation that collected Union subscriptions by hand but wouldn’t take a cent! He grew SAMWU into a giant that was with R175m in reserves pic.twitter.com/jCrWn4cOCp
— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) July 4, 2018
We are therefore saddened and devastated by his passing, the passing of a man who steered Samwu towards its militancy in the workplace,” he said.
“We lower our banners in remembrance and honour of Comrade Mashishi. We further send our heartfelt condolences to the Mashishi family during this painful time
Source: eNCA
