The president of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) re-affirmed the union's commitment to retain political independence.

Mr Stanley Khoza was speaking during the IMATU Limpopo Conference 2013, which was held at Northgate Lodge on 23 to 25 October.

“IMATU is not a friend of any political party,” said Khoza. “The union has always believed that a political union is best placed to serve its members.”

During the conference, Khoza stated that members would receive preferential service and treatment if IMATU was aligned to any political entity. “IMATU remains committed to worker-based issues, such as the protection of municipal workers' rights and fair wage negotiations,” he said.

The union will also remain committed to the upholding of basic conditions of service in the local government sector, equality in the work place and promoting a sustainable local government through social transformation.

Makhado IMATU branch's chairperson, Mr Phillip Rambuda, welcomed the president's presence during the conference. “Pres Khoza's statement that the union is free from politics or any political affliations helped revive the spirits of members to better understand the vision of the union,” said Rambuda. “As the Makhado branch shop stewards, we are prepared to address any cases brought forward by our members appropriately.”