The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) congress, which had been convened at a significant cost of R12m, collapsed on its second day due to an internal leadership struggle. The gathering, which brought together delegates from across 16 Cosatu affiliates, was marred by disagreements over the eligibility of a key presidential candidate, Mike Shingange. Shingange had been suspended by his home union, the National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), just two days earlier.
The trouble began when a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) delegate questioned the status of Shingange, who had been nominated by several unions, including the NUM, to take over as Cosatu president. The NUM and its allied unions alleged that Nehawu's suspension of Shingange was an attempt to block his bid for the presidency. In response, the NUM delegate said that these unions would not submit their official list of delegates, effectively preventing the congress from quorating.
A heated debate ensued, with one delegate suggesting that the congress should be postponed since it had failed to adopt credentials within three hours of commencing, as required by the Cosatu constitution. The debate went on for over two hours, with delegates eventually breaking for lunch while the federation's central executive committee (CEC) sought a solution. However, the CEC meeting, which went on until just after 2am, failed to resolve the issue, and delegates were told to reconvene the next day.
On the second day, delegates waited for over three hours, singing songs and waiting for official feedback from the CEC meeting. When the meeting finally resumed, Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe told delegates that a legal opinion had been sought, which indicated that Shingange was eligible to stand for election as Cosatu president despite his suspension by Nehawu. However, the NUM and its allied unions remained suspicious of this apparent change of heart by Nehawu.
The NUM and like-minded unions refused to submit their credentials, arguing that the congress should be postponed. The congress was effectively split down the middle, with Nehawu, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), Popcru, and a few others arguing that the congress should continue. However, the writing was on the wall, and Cosatu leaders confirmed later that evening that the congress would be reconvened within 30 days, as per the federation's constitution.
The collapse of the Cosatu congress has significant implications for the ANC-led tripartite alliance. The labour federation, which represents 1.8 million workers, is facing serious socioeconomic and political problems, including retrenchments and restructuring. A delegate from the South African Commercial Catering & Allied Workers Union appealed for order, stating that Cosatu was their last hope. However, the leadership struggle between the two factions, led by Zingiswa Losi and Mike Shingange, appears to have taken precedence.
The two factions, which are backed by different unions, are vying for control of Cosatu. The major public sector unions Nehawu, Sadtu, and Popcru, along with the South African Clothing & Textile Workers Union, back Losi as the new general secretary, with Sadtu's Mabutho Cele replacing her as president. On the other hand, the NUM leads a group of seven unions, including the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, the finance union Sasbo, and the South African Municipal Workers Union, which wants Shingange as the new president.
Key points
- Cosatu's congress collapsed due to internal leadership struggle
- The labour federation represents 1.8 million workers
- The congress will be reconvened within 30 days, as per the federation's constitution
