BL Premium reports that Cosatu, which became the first alliance partner to support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s successful campaign for the ANC presidency in 2017, has resolved not to support his bid for re-election as ANC leader during the party’s national elective conference, starting on 16 December.

“That’s because we have not had a discussion about it. Normally, we would discuss the matter at our congress or central executive committee (CEC), where there would be a robust discussion. This time around, workers were seized with so many things that they needed to attend to, rather than prioritising a discussion about the ANC,” said Cosatu first deputy president Mike Shingange. In a statement on Wednesday, Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the federation had decided to remain neutral on issues of leadership and focus on conference policy outcomes and organisational resolutions. “Cosatu, therefore, will not be campaigning for any candidate but will support all those elected by the conference,” he indicated. The federation, which has a membership of 1.6-million and has always supported the ANC during elections since 1994, is angry after the government refused to implement the last leg of a three-year wage deal signed in 2018. Relations between Cosatu and the governing ANC took a further turn for the worse in November when public service & administration acting minister Thulas Nxesi unilaterally implemented a final, revised 3% wage increase for public servants.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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