South Africa’s third-largest and oldest public sector union, the Public Servants Association (PSA), has reassured its members that it faces no risk of deregistration despite the recent notice of intention issued by the Department of Employment and Labour.
The union, which will celebrate its 106th anniversary on Tuesday and represents more than 245 000 public servants across the country, has 60 days to provide compelling reasons why it should not be deregistered.
The Registrar of the Department of Employment and Labour, Lehlohonolo Molefe, gazetted a notice of intention to cancel the registration of the PSA, stating that the association is not a genuine trade union, cannot operate in terms of a compliant constitution, and has failed to meet key governance and reporting requirements.
PSA General Manager Reuben Maleka has conceded that, following engagements with the department, they fully understand the source of the frustration.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Maleka said the union had been seized with the matter for the past five years.
“The Registrar engaged us on this issue in 2022, but we had different views. So, now that there is clarification from the Labour Appeal Court about what needs to be done, that is exactly what we are doing. We believe that members and the public should not panic; the solution is on the horizon,” Maleka said.
He further explained that the PSA cannot afford to be deregistered, especially at a time when workers are experiencing difficulties in the workplace.
The general manager vehemently rejected allegations that the union is non-compliant regarding its membership records and adherence to sections 95, 98, 99, and 100 of the Labour Relations Act.
“Yes, we acknowledge that we have been operating as a non-profit company, which is a historical matter. However, we are one of the unions that, when it comes to auditing, are even more compliant because we do it in terms of the Companies Act.
“The Companies Act requirements are higher than those of the Labour Relations Act.
“Even the Registrar himself is also a member of the PSA because he is aware of our capacity and knows what the PSA can do. So, there is no contradiction that we will find a solution to this matter,” said Maleka.
Meanwhile, the notice has raised renewed questions about the status of PSA President Matimba Shiburi’s position on the board of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).
Shiburi was appointed to the PIC board in September 2025 as the PSA representative, while a parliamentary reply by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana described him as a non-executive director and trade union representative appointed for a three-year term from 15 September 2025.
