Sekunjalo sues Sactwu for R628m
Sekunjalo Investment Holdings has instituted legal proceedings against the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu), claiming R628m over what it describes as the union’s failure to honour financial commitments linked to a media venture.
According to a media statement released yesterday, the dispute centres on funding commitments tied to the establishment of the World of Work (WoW), a labour-focused newspaper initiative that formed part of the broader acquisition of Independent Media.
Court papers filed in the Western Cape High Court show Sekunjalo has issued a combined summons citing both Sactwu and its investment arm as defendants.
Sekunjalo alleges Sactwu initially proposed contributing R250m to the consortium acquiring Independent Media, with a specific focus on developing a union-aligned publication.
According to The Star, the company said it proceeded to fund and operationalise the WoW project ‘in good faith’, covering editorial, printing, distribution and marketing costs after the union allegedly failed to provide the promised funding.
The company claims it carried the full R250m cost of sustaining the publication.
The summons indicates that Sekunjalo is seeking repayment of the R250m, along with interest and additional damages, bringing the total claim to R628m.
Sactwu had not commented at the time of going to print.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
