In Conversation With Dr Nkateko Mnisi, the 1st Deputy President of SAMATU

Public service unions affiliated to Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) — including Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), South African Municipal and Allied Trade Union (SAMATU), Public and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (PAWUSA) and South African Equity Workers Association (SAEPU) — have announced plans to hold a media briefing outlining their response to what they describe as an “outrageous” 9.8% member contribution increase by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) for 2026.