Cosatu delegates criticise Mantashe over ANC ‘Big Brother’ attitude

ANC national chair Gwede Mantashe faced criticism from delegates at the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) congress after a dispute over the speaking programme exposed tensions within the tripartite alliance.

Delegates objected to what they described as an attempt by the ANC to exert control over the proceedings, accusing the party of treating its alliance partners as subordinate organisations.

The disagreement centred on Mantashe’s reported request to speak last at the congress, following an address by South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Solly Mapaila.

Cosatu’s affiliates refused to change the programme to accommodate the request.

Mantashe’s name was also met with boos when Mapaila acknowledged him at the beginning of his address, signalling the frustration among some delegates.

Cosatu affiliates reject ANC ‘Big Brother’ approach

The dispute prompted representatives from several unions to speak out against Mantashe’s conduct and call for the ANC to hold its national chair accountable.

The session chair, Mike Shingange, clarified that neither Mantashe nor the ANC had been expelled from the congress. Instead, Cosatu had declined to alter its programme to allow him to address the meeting last.

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) was among the affiliates that criticised what it described as ANC arrogance.

A Samwu representative said the ANC was an alliance partner and should not behave as though it had authority over Cosatu’s proceedings.

The representative argued that the dispute reflected the conduct of an individual rather than the position of the ANC’s broader structures, while calling for the party to censure Mantashe.

Union leaders call for accountability

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa also condemned Mantashe’s reported conduct, saying the ANC should consider disciplinary action against its chair.

The organisation stressed that the ANC remained welcome to participate in the congress, despite objections to Mantashe’s behaviour and the refusal to allow him to address the meeting under the requested arrangements.

Some delegates argued that the incident risked damaging the ANC’s standing at a time when the party was facing public dissatisfaction and preparing for the 4 November local government elections.

Zola Saphetha, general secretary of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), described the situation as disappointing, particularly given Mantashe’s history in the trade union movement.

Mantashe previously served as general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Saphetha said the federation rejected what he called the ANC’s “Big Brother” syndrome.

NUM’s general secretary also indicated that the ANC had missed an opportunity to use the congress to seek support ahead of the elections.

Alliance tensions emerge ahead of local elections

The dispute unfolded against a backdrop of differing views among Cosatu affiliates about the future of the tripartite alliance, which brings together the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP.

While unions remain divided over the alliance’s direction and the political choices facing members in the upcoming local elections, the criticism of Mantashe brought several affiliates together in their opposition to the conduct they described.

The episode highlights the strain within the alliance as its partners navigate their political relationships ahead of the polls.

For Cosatu, the disagreement also raised questions about the independence of the federation’s decision-making processes and the extent to which the ANC should influence proceedings at a gathering of its own alliance partner.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Source: The Citizen