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ANC will continue to support Cosatu - Mkhize

Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions must be given the space to sort out its internal fighting, however the ANC will be on standby to help where it can because the divisions in the federation have an effect on society, ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize said on Monday.

"We believe that the challenges facing Cosatu are real, they are serious, they are complex, but they need the members of Cosatu, its affiliates, to help resolve them and we believe this is the best platform," Mkhize told News24 on the sidelines of the trade union federation's special national congress in Midrand, Johannesburg.

"As the ANC, we not a neutral party, we are a pro-Cosatu party. We are a partner... so we will always be on the side of Cosatu, but we will give Cosatu its space to resolve its internal issues."

He said the ANC task team, which was appointed last year, to help Cosatu sort out its issues will help, but it had a limit of how far it could go.

Cosatu had its own constitution and was autonomous.

"A lot of issues in relation to disciplinary issues, expulsions and so on are all in the constitution of Cosatu so as the ANC we respect that space.

"All we saying is that the ANC task team remains available to give support to the extent to which we can help Cosatu rebuild itself and unite."

The two-day special national congress was called for by unions in support of expelled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA.

The unions, which call themselves the "Nine Plus" unions, wanted the congress to elect new leaders and to discuss the reinstatement of Vavi and Numsa. However, Cosatu has said these issues are not on the agenda.

The unions were expected to raise the issues from the floor.

Asked whether he thought these issues should be discussed, Mkhize said he had faith in the federation's constitution and procedures and he was sure the leadership would be able to determine what was best.

"We hoping that the division, the discussions will... be able to pull everyone together. We think it is possible for consensus to be reached so that Cosatu is rebuilt and made stronger."

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