ANC-SACP rift spills over into chaotic Cosatu congress

The Cosatu succession debate has put the trade union federation's 15th national congress in jeopardy, as several unions are withholding their congress credentials until the succession issue is resolved. Cosatu leaders are worried about the congress collapsing, which would be a waste of the R80 million spent to organize it. The congress, which ends at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand tomorrow, is attended by 1,800 delegates from 16 affiliated trade unions across the country.

The controversy centers around Cosatu deputy president Mike Shingange's eligibility to become the federation's next president, succeeding incumbent Zingisa Losi. Although the central executive committee, which includes all Cosatu affiliates and its top leadership, approved Shingange's candidacy, disagreements about his eligibility have arisen.

Shingange's union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), placed him on precautionary suspension, raising questions about his eligibility according to the Cosatu constitution.

After a night-long meeting, an extended Cosatu CEC and management committee concluded, based on a legal opinion, that Shingange was eligible to stand for the position. However, the congress remained divided, with unions like Popcru aligning with the CEC decision and others withholding their congress credentials until the matter was resolved. Despite the federation's management committee allegedly endorsing the CEC decision, several unions have refused to submit their credentials until the situation is clarified.