Cosatu slams DA appointment as 'reactionary'

Trade union federation Cosatu has condemned the appointment of a former Democratic Alliance leader to the Gauteng planning commission.

This was "the most reactionary and backward decision ever made in the history of the Gauteng government", Cosatu Gauteng chairman Phutas Tseki said on Wednesday.

He said the appointment of Timothy Nast -- the former mayor of Midvaal -- was made without consulting the Congress of SA Trade Unions.

"We call upon the Gauteng government, and the premier in particular, to reverse this appointment."

The premier should urgently convene a meeting of the alliance in Gauteng to discuss this matter, Tseki said.

Nast was appointed chief director of infrastructure planning in the commission on August 1.

The premier defended her decision on Wednesday, saying: "Mr Nast was appointed on the basis of his vast and valuable experience in building a strong public service; a factor that suits the demands and the focus on infrastructure planning in the province."