About ASWTU

A union built to turn workplace pressure into organised strength.

ASWTU exists to defend security workers, develop shop-floor leadership, and push bargaining with a level of seriousness that matches the conditions members face.

Founded 2024

worker-led organising

5

provincial chapters

National

case and campaign coordination

Mission

Protect rights, raise standards, and organise security workers into a durable force.

Fight for fair pay, safer workplaces, and real enforcement of labour rights.

Build worker visibility in a sector where employer control often thrives on isolation.

Create clear systems for governance, accountability, and member support.

What shapes the union

The work is serious, so the culture has to be disciplined and clear.

ASWTU is designed around legal readiness, member participation, and structures that can carry pressure beyond one employer or one workplace.

Protection

We defend worker rights with legal discipline, practical support, and organised pressure.

Solidarity

Individual cases matter, but lasting gains happen when workers act together across sites and provinces.

Accountability

Transparent governance and member oversight are essential for a union that asks workers to trust it.

Dignity

Security work is often invisible until something goes wrong. We organise to make that labour visible and respected.

Leadership

Elected roles exist to hold the line between strategy and delivery.

Leadership is not a decorative board. Each role is tied to a specific responsibility in organising, governance, case handling, or financial accountability.

JM

President

Comrade J. Mthembu

Leads national organising priorities and bargaining strategy across the union's provincial structures.

SN

Secretary General

Comrade S. Ndlovu

Coordinates administration, policy follow-through, and the operational discipline behind union delivery.

TZ

Treasurer

Comrade T. Zulu

Oversees financial stewardship, reporting integrity, and accountable use of union resources.

NK

Legal Officer

Comrade N. Khumalo

Supports worker disputes, legal referrals, and rights-based strategy in escalated employer matters.

Timeline

2024

ASWTU is established by security workers determined to organise independently.

2025

Registration processes align the union with the Labour Relations Act framework.

2025

Provincial structures launch to deepen workplace reach and steward development.

2026

Digital platform launched for member communication and faster case intake.

2026

Active campaigns and employer engagements across major security sectors.

Governance

Structures matter because they decide whether a union can scale pressure responsibly.

ASWTU's governance model is designed to connect national direction with workplace realities instead of leaving members stuck between the two.

National Congress

The highest decision-making structure, responsible for mandates, elections, and constitutional direction.

National Executive Committee

Drives strategic coordination, monitors delivery, and supports union structures between congresses.

Provincial and branch structures

Turn national strategy into workplace presence, reporting discipline, and ongoing member engagement.

Industry Engagement

Building partnerships across the security sector landscape.

ASWTU engages with employers, industry bodies, and government agencies to advance worker interests and raise sector standards.

Security Companies

Engaging major employers on fair wages, PPE standards, and employment conditions.

Industry Bodies

Participating in sector councils and industry standards discussions.

Government Agencies

Liaising with Department of Employment and Labour on worker protections.

CCMA & Courts

Handling disputes through proper legal channels for maximum impact.

ASWTU is committed to professional engagement with all stakeholders while maintaining focus on member interests.

Our approach combines firmness on worker rights with practical dialogue for lasting solutions.

Next step

Read the union's structure, then decide how you want to engage.