By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) 15th National Congress was adjourned on the second day following sharp divisions, factional disputes, and stalemates over delegate credentials and the suspension status of first Deputy President Mike Shingange.
The federation president Zingisa Losi made the announcement following the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.
“After extensive internal deliberations by the central executive committee failed to yield common ground, leadership made the constitutionally aligned decision to pause the event, said Losi.”
Losi added that, “This was the difficult position the federation had to take in its history and the congress will reconvene in 30 days time in line with its constitution.”
The four-day meeting has been marred by violence, insults and delays about the legalities of the meeting.
At the centre of the chaos are disputed credentials, the legal standing of Shingange and whether the congress is proceeding lawfully.
Unions including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) wanted the congress to be postponed because a quorum was not reached on time.
Section 3.4.2 of Cosatu’s constitution states: “If after three hours of the time fixed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting must stand adjourned to a time and place decided upon by the president, provided that the meeting must be held within (1) month.”
This 30-day window is intended to provide the federation and its 16 affiliate unions the necessary time and space to resolve these internal factions, stabilize the leadership race, and align their credentials before safely resuming the business of the federation.
Shortly after the announcement adjourning the Congress the Labour Court cleared Shingange, confirming his eligibility to stand for the top position. He had mounted a challenge in the labour court after suspension by Nehawu amid leadership venture.
Meanwhile African National Congress (ANC) National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe welcomed the decision to adjourn the Elective Congress.
Mantashe said, the adjournment will allow the federation space to resolve its differences and continue with the Congress. The ANC came to support COSATU and will continue to stand with the federation, added Mantashe.