COSATU: National Congress Quorum Failure Halts Proceedings

• COSATU's national congress collapsed for the first time in its 40-year history due to unresolved disputes over leadership and delegate credentials.
• The failure to achieve a quorum stemmed from a two-day squabble, preventing the election of new leadership and critical policy debates.
• A key dispute involved the election of the General Secretary and President, positions vital for the federation's power balance and strategic direction.
• Two main factions emerged, with one group of unions withholding credentials to prevent a quorum, thereby blocking the congress from proceeding.
• The internal power struggle highlights significant instability within South Africa's largest labour federation, impacting future labour relations.

For the first time in its 40-year existence, the Congress of South African Trade Unions' central national assembly failed to reach the required delegate threshold.

South Africa's largest labour federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), recently experienced the unprecedented collapse of its national congress. The gathering, which convened at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, was scheduled to run for four days, from Monday to Thursday, with approximately 1,800 delegates representing 16 affiliate unions expected to participate. However, after two days of intense disputes over leadership positions and delegate credentials, the congress failed to achieve a quorum and was ultimately called off on Tuesday evening.

This marks a significant moment in COSATU's history, as it is the first time in its 40-year existence that its central national assembly has failed to reach the required delegate threshold. The agenda for the congress included crucial items such as the election of new leadership and extensive debates on the state of organised labour, the challenges faced by workers, and the federation's political and economic strategies. However, these discussions were overshadowed by escalating arguments regarding eligibility for election and voting rights among the delegates.

The core of the congress's failure stemmed from a fierce contest for the pivotal roles of General Secretary and President. These positions are critical in determining the balance of power within the federation and influencing the alignment of its various affiliate unions. The General Secretary is one of only two full-time national office bearers within COSATU, responsible for the federation's daily administration and policy implementation, while the President holds a part-time role with specific constitutional authorities.

Despite remaining in talks until Tuesday morning, the CEC could not resolve the disagreements. When the congress reconvened late on Tuesday morning, the unresolved issues persisted, leading to another adjournment at lunchtime. By Tuesday evening, COSATU President Zingiswa Losi informed the delegates that the congress could not proceed.

Two distinct camps emerged during the leadership battle, highlighting a significant internal power struggle within COSATU. One faction comprised larger public sector unions, including NEHAWU, SADTU, POPCRU, and SACTWU, which collectively represented the majority of delegates present. This group supported Mabutho Cele, SADTU's deputy president, for COSATU President and endorsed the incumbent COSATU President, Zingiswa Losi, for the General Secretary position.

Conversely, another group of unions, including the major industrial union NUM, along with SAMWU, DENOSA, SACCAWU, SASBO, SAMATU, and SAEPU, aligned themselves to support Mike Shingange for COSATU President and Solly Phetoe, the current General Secretary since 2022, for General Secretary. This second camp, which considered itself more militant and included many private sector unions facing increasing retrenchments, commanded the majority of affiliates present and in good standing — seven out of eleven. By refusing to submit their credentials on Monday, these unions effectively prevented the congress from achieving the necessary quorum. Mike Shingange, COSATU's current first deputy president and former NEHAWU president, had been nominated by SAMWU, with backing from NUM, despite NEHAWU's new leadership advising him against accepting nominations on August 25 and subsequently placing him on precautionary suspension for alleged misconduct and constitutional breaches on the morning after nominations closed on September 11. He has not yet been formally charged.

The unprecedented COSATU congress quorum failure underscores significant internal instability within South Africa's largest labour federation, which represents around 1.8 million workers across its 21 affiliates. This internal power struggle, particularly over key leadership roles, could have far-reaching consequences for labour relations in South Africa. The inability to elect new leadership and debate critical policy matters leaves the federation in a state of uncertainty regarding its future direction and its capacity to address pressures facing workers.

The deep divisions, particularly between public and private sector unions and differing ideological stances on militancy, suggest a fragmented landscape within organised labour. Such internal strife could impact COSATU's effectiveness in collective bargaining, its influence on industrial relations strategies, and its overall stability. The outcome of these evolving dynamics will be crucial for understanding the future trajectory of union actions and the broader labour landscape in the country.

The unprecedented collapse of COSATU's national congress due to leadership and quorum disputes signals significant internal instability within South Africa's largest labour federation. Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor these evolving power dynamics, as they could impact future collective bargaining, industrial relations strategies, and the overall stability of the labour landscape, potentially leading to more fragmented or unpredictable union actions.

Source: Reporting based on original coverage.