The Department of Employment and Labour confirms that the Registrar of Labour Relations has, on 29 June 2026, published a notice in the Government Gazette indicating the intention to cancel the registration of the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) in terms of section 106(2B) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995. This notice forms part of a lawful administrative process and does not constitute a final decision, but rather initiates a statutory procedure that allows the organisation and interested parties an opportunity to respond.

The publication of this notice must be understood within a broader legal context, including findings made in recent court proceedings involving the Department and the PSA. In that judgment, the Court raised concerns relating to the PSA's compliance with the requirements of the Labour Relations Act, including whether the organisation meets the definition of a genuine trade union, whether it is able to function in accordance with its constitution, and whether it complies with statutory provisions governing governance, accountability, and organisational conduct.

These issues are reflected in the Registrar's notice, which sets out preliminary concerns that the organisation may not meet the legal criteria of a registered trade union, may be unable to operate effectively in terms of its constitution, and may have failed to comply with sections 98, 99, and 100 of the Act, which relate to financial reporting, record-keeping, and transparency obligations. The judgment reinforced the importance of these compliance standards as fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the labour relations system.

The Department emphasises that the Registrar of Labour Relations executes statutory responsibilities independently and in accordance with the law. The issuance of the notice therefore reflects both the Registrar's regulatory mandate and the obligation to act on concerns identified through oversight processes and judicial pronouncements.

In line with the principles of fairness and due process, the PSA and all interested stakeholders have been invited to submit written representations within 60 days of the publication of the notice, providing reasons why the registration should not be cancelled. All submissions will be considered before any final determination is made.

The Department, through the Registrar, remains committed to upholding the constitutional right to freedom of association while ensuring that all registered trade unions operate within a framework of accountability, transparency, and compliance.

Members of the PSA and the public are assured that the notice does not immediately affect the organisation's operational status, and that all processes will be conducted fairly, impartially, and in full accordance with the Labour Relations Act.

Further updates will be communicated as the process unfolds.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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