The Star reports that Cosatu affiliates have warned the ANC not to even think about deploying President Jacob Zuma to address or attend the labour federation’s important mid-term meeting scheduled for later this month.
Cosatu’s largest union, Nehawu, is again leading the charge to stop Zuma from giving a speech at the meeting, where he is expected to speak as leader of the tripartite alliance. On Monday, Zuma suffered embarrassment when booing and heckling Cosatu members forced the May Day rally in Bloemfontein he was due to address to collapse before he could speak. The NUM, which was part of the unions that pushed for Zuma to address the May Day rally despite objections, warned it would be “reckless” for the ANC to send the president to Cosatu’s central committee (CC). The CC meeting, which runs from 29 May to 1 June, is a mid-term gathering at which the federation assesses the progress of implementation of its policies adopted at an elective conference. Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said they still had to finalise the programme and had not invited people as yet.
- Read this report by Luyolo Mkentane, Thami Magubane and Noni Mokati in full at The Star
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