By Lehlohonolo Lehana, reporting live from Midrand.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) elective congress got off to a shaky start after affiliates refused to submit their credentials over the status National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) president Mike Shingange.
The congress is scheduled to start from 14 to 17 September at the Gallagher Estates Convention in Midrand.
At least 1,800 delegates from various affiliated trade unions gathered at the venue.
The conference comes at a challenging time for workers, with the rapid adoption of new technologies putting jobs and livelihoods under increasing pressure.
Fullview understands that Shingange was suspended over the allegations of misusing union resources and for bringing it into the disrepute.
Our source told Fullview that Shingange was suspended on Friday, few days ahead of the National Elective Congress over serious allegations.
Another source says a fall out between the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) has led to the suspension of Shingange.
Affiliates including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and Sasbo demanded that the congress discuss Shingange’s suspension before the business of the day can start. They want Shingange as the president of the Federation.
NUM wants Solly Phetoe to continue as general secretary, but the public sector unions are backing Losi for the position.
The delegates refused to adopt the credentials, which would allow the elective conference to proceed.
Losi told delegates that Shingange is present at the congress.
“Comrade Mike Shingange, the first deputy president of COSATU, is in congress. He is in congress.”
However, delegates still wanted clarity on Shingange’s suspension and discussions are still ongoing.
In 2022, Cosatu re-elected Losi, an ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, as its leader. In contrast, Shingange is strongly aligned with the SACP. This has created deep ideological fractures over Cosatu’s stance on the Government of National Unity (GNU) and upcoming polls.