总工会注意到，有人指出，上周我们在约堡举行的、非常成功的、反对腐败和国家操控现象的游行当中，存在着种族主义行为。在经过调查之后，我们要因为自己的官员对约堡公安局长孙耀亨先生造成的伤害和窘迫无条件道歉。
总工会绝不容忍任何种族主义和种族歧视行为。我们也承认，对孙耀亨的那些言论是偏狭、狭隘保护和有伤害性的，很容易被解读为固执己见。这并不是总工会的立场。
在总工会的罢工中，参加者长期以来就有政治贬低或者轻率指名道姓言论的习惯；但是，我们的底线之一就是不容忍带有种族主义的言行。总工会是全南非人民的组织，我们谴责一切种族主义和歧视行为。
但是我们希望这一不幸的插曲不要成为马沙巴市长的挡箭牌。我们仍然希望他能解决工人们在上次抗议中提出的问题。
南非总工会全国发言人西维.潘拉
2017年10月3日
英文原文：
COSATU apologises to Mr Michael Sun for any hurt or embarrassment caused during the COSATU strike
3 October 2017
The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted the allegations of racism levelled against one of its officials during a very successful anti-state capture and corruption march in the City of Johannesburg last week. After investigating the allegations, we want to unreservedly apologise to Mr Michael Sun, the public safety member of the mayoral committee in Johannesburg for any hurt and embarrassment caused by the statements from our official.
COSATU will never condone any form of racism or racial discrimination. We have concluded that the statements made against Michael Sun were intolerant, patronising and hurtful and could be easily interpreted as bigoted. That is not what our organisation stands for.
While workers during their strikes have an old age tradition that thrives on political put-downs or any applause that can be easily procured through flippant name calling, we draw the line when such verbal infelicities carry racial connotations. COSATU remains an organisation for all South Africans and we deplore any form of racism or discrimination.
This unfortunate distraction does not give Mayor Herman Mashaba a get out clause though, we still want him to deal with the issues raised by the workers during the last week’s strike.
Issued by COSATU
Sizwe Pamla (National Spokesperson)
