By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has confirmed it spent an estimated R12 million on its 15th National Congress, which abruptly collapsed and was adjourned without completing its elective program.
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 Elective Congress was scheduled to begin, Shingange was issued a precautionary suspension by Nehawu.
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.
This forced the Central Executive Committee (CEC) to take the decision to adjourn the congress 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 secretary general Solly Phetoe.
Phetoe said, “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, added Phetoe.”
Despite the setback, Phetoe expressed confidence that the congress would reconvene within the constitutionally mandated timeframe.
He stated that the federation’s president would have to call the gathering, adding that he intended to write to all 21 affiliated unions to inform them.
In line with COSATU’s constitution, the federation is mandated to reconvene the congress within 30 days. President Zingisa Losi has stated that the leadership will look for ways to cut costs for the upcoming meeting, even if it means using a less expensive venue.
Losi could not confirm the exact amount that was spent on the conference, but it’s estimated at around R12-million.
She said, the costs included venue hire at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, catering, hotel accommodation, flights, and general transport for delegates.
Meanwhile Shingange approached the Labour Court on 15 September to challenge the suspension on an urgent basis.
The court granted the urgent application and ruled that the precautionary suspension does not prevent Shingange from attending or participating in the National Congress nor from participating in the elections.
Nehawu was ordered to pay costs. The trade union has confirmed that Shingange remains a shop steward and they will not prevent him from contesting. Neither Shingange nor Nehawu have publicly stated the reason for the suspension.