COSATU: THE END DRAWS NIGH


by Terry Bell

The fact that Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has refused to accept his
dismissal from the federation should have come as no surprise to readers of this list.
This column has pointed out for months now that the central executive committee
(CEC) of Cosatu has no constitutional authority to finally dismiss, suspend or expel
any office bearer or affiliate; that only a national congress may do that.
Of course, the constitution can be ignored, as it has been for nearly two years by the
CEC refusing to call a special national congress to deal with the problems that have
resulted in the announced expulsion of metalworkers’ union, Numsa and the sacking
of Vavi. But this leaves the way open for a legal challenge.
It is against this background that ANC secretary general, and former National Union
of Mineworkers (NUM) general secretary Gwede Mantashe, described the move
against Vavi as “reckless”. The ANC is now trying desperately to contain what looks
like an inevitable implosion of the federation.
Vavi and Numsa, along with allies such as the Food and Allied Workers’ Union have
reacted by stating that the fight continues to “win back Cosatu to workers’ control”.
Which, according to the majority on the CEC, is where Cosatu remains; that Vavi
and, Numsa are “splitters” out to weaken the labour movement.
However, Vavi and the Cosatu affiliates supporting his position appear, tactically, to
have the better of the argument. Mainly because of the unwillingness of the CEC —
recently always minus six or seven delegations — to call a special congress, but now
also because of the conditions announced following the decision to dismiss Vavi.
Cosatu president, S’dumo Dlamini stated that no Cosatu affiliate or member of any
union affiliated to the federation should attend any meeting addressed by Vavi — and,
presumably, anyone from Numsa. Also that Vavi should be effectively barred from
any Cosatu union facilities.
This statement played into the hands of the CEC dissidents who complain of the
CEC’s high-handed and autocratic management style. Vavi summed this up, stating:
“Momentous decisions affecting the working class are made in small boardrooms
instead of democratically by the members.”
For the federation’s highly respected national spokesperson, Patrick Craven,
Dlamini’s instructions were the last straw. He announced his resignation, noting: “I
could not defend the indefensible”. Several other senior Cosatu figures are also
discussing whether to take a similar step.
However, because the battle is not about one individual or even one expelled affiliate,
but rather for the “soul of Cosatu”, disgruntled individuals may be persuaded to
remain in position as the fight for a full national congress continues. Such a congress
would have to include not only Vavi, but also Numsa.
Dlamini this week said that a special congress would be organised for June, just three
months ahead of the scheduled triennial national gathering. This seems questionable
since Dlamini last year gave a lack of funding as the excuse for Cosatu not having
staged a special congress.
“It’s just talk. They’re not going to have a proper congress,” said a senior Cosatu
officer who is contemplating resignation.
This would almost certainly open the way for another costly and time-consuming
legal battle that seems weighted against the CEC majority. Especially since Vavi and
Numsa are unlikely to follow the example of former Cosatu president Willie Madisha
and walk away from the fight to attempt to found a new labour federation.
Madisha did so in 2007 when a hostile CEC, including Vavi, expelled him, basically
for not supporting Jacob Zuma as ANC president. He subsequently joined the
Congress of the People and now holds one of COPE’s three parliamentary seats.
So the slow-motion disintegration of Cosatu seems likely to continue, whatever the
efforts of the ANC, the decisions of the courts or the votes at whatever national
congress is finally staged. After 30 years of sporadic squabbling about party politics,
bureaucracy and worker independence, it now appears that an end of some kind is
nigh.
Terry Bell
writing, editing, broadcasting
specialising in:
political/economic analysis and labour
P.O Box 373, Muizenberg 7950
South Africa
Tel: +27 +(0)21 788 9699
Skype: belnews • Twitter: @telbelsa
Blog: terrybellwrites.com