By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) 15th National Congress reconvened at 9:00 am on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, following a shaky start over adoption of credentials.
The four-day event began on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The proceedings stalled over disputed credentials and the position of the federation’s first deputy president Mike Shingange.
Shingange was suspended by his union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) for bringing it into disrepute.
General Secretary Solly Phetoe presented a report on the developments on processes related to credentials and also the legal opinion in relation to the status of Shingange.
Phetoe said that Shingange had not been expelled by his union and had not been removed as a shop steward.
He was under provisional suspension according to Nehawu’s constitution and not Federation’s constitution. Therefore, he was still the deputy president of Cosatu, Phetoe said.
Fullview understands that a legal opinion is saying Shingange is clear to stand for the presidency of Cosatu following a special Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting yesterday.
Phetoe pleaded with affiliates who had not submitted their attendance registers to do so.
The affiliates are now engaging on the report presented by Phetoe.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) had insisted that the congress should not continue after their nominee candidate was suspended on the eve of the congress.
This was supported by other unions, including the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa), South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu), South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu), South African Society of Bank Officials (Sasbo), and South African Emergency Personnel Union (Saepu), who did not submit their credentials to block the congress from proceeding.
Fullview also learnt that only 1 046 credentials were recorded. This meant that the congress did not meet the quorum.
According to the constitution of Cosatu, “the quorum for meetings of the NC (National Council) must be at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of the affiliates in good standing, provided that each affiliate is represented by at least 1/3 (one third) of its delegates and the majority of those delegates are members of unions, and the delegates are those who have had their names submitted to the general secretary.”
It has also emerged that Shangange has taken legal action and approached the Labour Court to protect his bid to contest the top post.
Nehawu confirmed that Shingange was allowed to contest if he so wishes but shall continue dealing with the precautionary suspension internally.