By Amy Musgrave
As Cosatu’s delayed national congress is set to start on Tuesday, the fight regarding the status of the federation’s first deputy president Mike Shingange is in the Labour Court.
Inside Politics confirmed from several insiders that the court was dealing with the matter.
ALSO READ: Mashatile still off duty after medical procedure
Cosatu’s all-important national congress descended into chaos on Monday, with proceedings stalled over disputed credentials and the position of Shingange, who is also the president of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).
He was suspended by the union over the weekend. It is in relation to him wanting to accept nomination to stand as Cosatu’s next president. Several affiliates, including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), are backing Shingange.
NUM delegates walked into the Cosatu congress en masse on Tuesday singing “Shingange, my president”.
Nehawu is apparently supporting Sadtu deputy president Mabutho Cele as the new president of Cosatu, with current president Zingiswa Losi set to contest for the general secretary position. Unions are yet to announce who they are backing.
ALSO READ: Body of sixth woman found as serial killer fears grip Ekurhuleni
Cosatu’s central executive committee held a special meeting for several hours on Monday to decide on a way forward.
Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe told delegates the meeting continued on Tuesday morning.
He said that Shingange had not been expelled by his union and had not been removed as a shop steward.
He was under provisional suspension according to Nehwu’s constitution and not Cosatu’s constitution. Therefore, he was still the deputy president of Cosatu, Phetoe said.
He pleaded with affiliates who had not submitted their attendance registers to do so. The majority of unions withheld their credentials on Monday, demanding clarity on Shingange.
