UNEASY ALLIANCE: R12m Cosatu National Congress collapses as ANC, SACP divisions split allies

Cosatu’s 15th National Congress collapsed following a dramatic dispute over candidate suspensions, with political tensions playing a role. The failure to reach a quorum leaves both the labour federation and the broader alliance facing an uncertain future.

Thirty-six years after the Tripartite Alliance was formed between the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), and the South African Communist Party (SACP), the future of the alliance is uncertain after the collapse of Cosatu’s 15th National Congress.

The collapse followed a two-day dispute over the precautionary suspension of Cosatu’s first deputy president, Mike Shingange, from his trade union, the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu).

Shingange intends to run for Cosatu president, a position he previously held in 2021, and which he is tipped to win. However, just 48 hours before the National Congress was scheduled to begin, Shingange was issued a precautionary suspension by Nehawu.

Stripped of his delegate status, Shingange was unable to register for the election. This prompted seven of Cosatu’s 21 affiliated unions, led by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), to withdraw their credentials in protest and collapse the congress’s quorum.

“The decision was taken in accordance with Cosatu’s constitutional clauses … [which] hold that when quorum is not met, the meeting must be held within one month,” said the trade union federation.

“The adjournment comes at a difficult and painful moment in the life of the federation. However, the decision has been taken in the interests of protecting the unity, integrity, and organisational strength of Cosatu. There are no winners when Cosatu is divided.”

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi could not confirm the exact amount that was spent on the conference, but it’s estimated at around R12-million. Union representatives from across South Africa gathered at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand at their own cost to elect a new national leadership and discuss labour issues. But, by 6pm on day two of the four-day congress, the programme had yet to begin.

Shingange is also a Central Committee member of the SACP, while Losi is seen as more closely aligned with the ANC, sparking concerns among delegates that Nehawu’s move may have stemmed from the rift between the ANC and the SACP.

Cosatu and its affiliates traditionally campaign for and endorse the ANC in elections. With the SACP contesting the upcoming local government elections independently for the first time, winning the labour federation’s endorsement would bolster either party’s election chances. The SACP has stated that since announcing its election stance, its members who hold dual membership with the ANC have been ousted from key leadership positions.

The impasse at the National Congress resulted in two days of closed talks between national branch leaders. On the evening of Tuesday, 15 September, the congress collapsed.

“We cannot at this stage say what happened at congress is driven by political influence, because there were no political discussions that took place,” said Losi.