Concerns about threats ahead of Cosatu congress

Cape Town – A showdown looms between the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and nine or more unions aligned to former general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi when they convene at their special national congress (SNC), which starts on Monday.

The “Nine-Plus unions”, who opposed the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and Vavi, on Friday noted with “great concern” reports that the federation’s leadership is “vowing to kick out anyone who sought to speak or act against Cosatu’s constitution and agenda” at the SNC.

The reports came when Cosatu’s acting general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told Business Report on July 9 that it “would not be entertaining calls for the reinstatement” of Vavi or Numsa.

Prepare for agenda debate
 
“It is standard practice that one of the first items of any agenda of any federation meeting must be the adoption of the agenda – with room to move amendments,” the Nine-Plus unions said in a statement.

“The leadership should be aware that the (federation’s) constitution… states that Cosatu meetings must follow the agenda unless the participants decide otherwise. The SNC must be no exception.
 
“The chairperson of a session cannot deny them this right and … Ntshalintshali is out of order to say that Cosatu would not be entertaining calls for the reinstatement of … Vavi or Numsa.
 
“The Nine-Plus have every right to move amendments to the agenda from the floor, including to call for their reinstatement, and other matters for discussion by delegates,” said the group.
 
No money for bribes

Cosatu’s second deputy president, Zingiswa Losi, told Business Report that Numsa had budgeted R250 000 for the congress, “insinuating it could be used to bribe delegates”.

The Nine-Plus Unions said that if true, Losi’s statement “portrays a desperate leadership that feels under threat and fearful of the members’ response to their brutal dismissal of its biggest affiliate and general secretary.

The Nine-Plus unions reiterate that they will be attending the SNC in order to exercise their democratic and constitutional right to discuss the implementation of Cosatu congress resolutions and opening a pathway to unity and cohesion.”