BDLive writes that affiliates of labour federation Cosatu in the main agree that President Jacob Zuma should step down, but believe this message must be communicated to the ANC in a way that is less confrontational than the approach adopted by its former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.  

Vavi was criticised by the ANC and internally in Cosatu for his "oppositionist stance" towards the governing party, which led to his isolation and eventual expulsion from the federation.  It is understood that affiliate bosses want to ensure that they communicate this message to the ANC in a manner that is not divisive and will not do so publicly.  Further complicating matters is Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini, a staunch Zuma ally.  In its assessment of the ANC election results at its last central executive committee (CEC) meeting in August, most of the union bosses conceded that workers no longer had confidence in the president, saying he should not complete his term in the Union Buildings, nor should he "rule from the grave" once he is replaced as party president.

• Read this report by Natasha Marrian in full at BDLive
• Read too, Business, labour under internal pressure to put heat on Zuma, at BDLive

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