The Citizen writes that a decision by Cosatu not to officially endorse Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa for the top ANC job is threatening to tear the trade union federation apart.
Cosatu has taken a cautious approach on the ANC’s succession debate and has asked its affiliates to engage further on the issue. But it emerged on Thursday that affiliates such the NUM, Popcru, Sadtu and Nehawu, which are backing Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma as ANC leader next year and eventually as head of state in 2019, are not happy with the posture taken by Cosatu. A senior union leader lashed out at Cosatu, saying the stance taken by the federation was “unfortunate” and “a bit of a problem”. He queried why an applicable resolution taken at Cosatu’s congress last year was being overlooked. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said it was the prerogative of the affiliates to speak, but warned affiliates not to drag Cosatu into the issue.
- Read this report by Ngwako Modjadji in full at The Citizen
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