The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) recently spent about R12 million on its 15th National Congress, which was adjourned after a credentials dispute prevented the gathering from reaching quorum. The four-day programme was brought to an early end, leaving leadership elections and key discussions on issues affecting workers unresolved. COSATU president Zingiswa Losi stated that the federation would look to limit the cost of reconvening, with much of the expenditure from the first gathering already covered.
The immediate obstacle was a dispute over delegate credentials, with some affiliates having delegates at the venue but not formally submitting their credentials to the Secretariat. Without the credentials, those delegates could not be counted towards the quorum required to constitute the congress. Losi said an affiliate's refusal to submit its credentials ultimately prevented the required quorum from being reached. The dispute involved Mike Shingange, with supporting unions such as the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) withholding credentials.
The Labour Court subsequently ruled that Shingange's precautionary suspension from Nehawu did not prevent him from participating in the COSATU National Congress or contesting leadership positions. However, the ruling did not resolve the separate credentials dispute that ultimately prevented the congress from reaching quorum. Losi rejected the idea that the adjournment represented a victory for either side of the internal disputes, stating that there are no winners when Cosatu is defeated.
The adjournment also left COSATU's broader programme unfinished, with delegates unable to deliberate on the economic, workplace and social pressures facing workers. These included unemployment, inequality, poverty, retrenchments, occupational health and safety, gender-based violence and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs. Losi said these issues are crucial to workers and that the congress was expected to consider COSATU's political positions, including its relationship with the ANC and SACP.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) called on COSATU to resolve its internal challenges and use its reconvened congress to refocus on issues affecting workers. The party said it respected COSATU's organisational independence and supported the unity of the federation and the broader progressive trade union movement. The SACP highlighted workers affected by municipalities failing to pay their salaries and raised concerns about restructuring, privatisation, outsourcing, austerity, corruption, maladministration and governance failures.
COSATU is considering a range of options for the next gathering, including cheaper venues such as a stretched tent, hospital hall, marquee, or churches where they can borrow tents. Losi said the federation would examine other areas where expenditure could be reduced, such as downscaling the event. The paperless format meant COSATU would not need to reproduce documents, while T-shirts and banners had already been paid for.
The federation is expected to reconvene its national congress within 30 days. Losi stated that the pause should give affiliates time to lower tensions and find a way forward that protects the unity and integrity of the federation. The congress will aim to address the socioeconomic issues confronting workers and develop a programme of action around these challenges.
Key points
- Cosatu spent R12 million on its 15th National Congress.
- The congress was adjourned due to a dispute over delegate credentials.
- The federation will reconvene its national congress within 30 days.
