afrol News, 7 October - South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has today called on its members not to heed Archbishop Desmond Tutu's call, made last Sunday that he will not vote at next poll.

Workers' union believes that it is highly regrettable and unfortunate that an individual of such high standing in South Africa and world could have made 'such an irresponsible statement which could potentially have a very negative effect on turn out at country's polls next year'.

According to a statement issued by SATAWU earlier today, whilst Archbishop Tutu has right to comment on any issues in society without any fear or favour as enshrined in South African constitution, it said it is very politically short sighted to create an environment intended to undermine South Africa's young and robust democracy.

"We believe that Archbishop should not encourage a culture in our society of loyalty to individuals and as a result call on electorate to become empathetic. In view of his irresponsible statement, SATAWU therefore calls on all its members and their families to ignore the call made by the Archbishop not to vote in next year's election as we cannot allow a democracy that we have fought for to be undermined," statement reads.

It further shows that call on its members is also made in context of fact that many of them being church goers and God fearing people belong to Anglican Church, hence, this makes their position even more relevant.

South Africcan media largely quoted archbishop Tutu over weekend in a statement that he would not vote next as a result of current events in South African wrangling politics, in ruling party.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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