NUM+may+not+re-elect+Cosatu+top+brass,+Amy+Musgrave,+B+Day

Business Day, Johannesburg, 29 August 2006
=NUM may not re-elect Cosatu top brass=


 * Amy Musgrave, Political Correspondent**

THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the most powerful affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), yesterday indicated that it may oppose the re-election of top leaders in the labour federation — which is already plagued by leadership struggles.

The union held a special national executive committee meeting in Johannesburg yesterday to discuss the reported fallout between Cosatu president Willie Madisha and secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi.

NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said the meeting was called to find a way to manage the reported leadership squabble — which it felt was damaging Cosatu’s image.

“This has meant a review of our former position, which held that the current leadership must be retained for purposes of unity and stability. We will be consulting with other affiliates about the outcome in terms of our resolution to consolidate the Cosatu leadership,” Baleni said.

It is understood that the union will nominate its president, Senzeni Zokwana, to replace Madisha at Cosatu’s elective congress next month.

Vavi, a former mineworker who is popular within the NUM, has managed to get the backing of the union.

Newspapers reported this month that Madisha was investigating Vavi for the abuse of a union credit card. Media reports also claimed that the two were barely on speaking terms. This was because Madisha had thrown his weight behind President Thabo Mbeki, while Vavi continued to support the African National Congress (ANC) deputy-president Jacob Zuma.

Cosatu’s national office bearers denied any leadership tussle.

Last week Madisha also denied these reports while Vavi denied any knowledge of the investigation.

Even though Cosatu has denied any fall out, the NUM believed it was important to discuss the media reports as a negative portrayal of the federation could affect its status as a key body for social formation in SA.

Baleni said they had resolved to help unite Cosatu.

“We want the congress to come out with a strong leadership that will help the federation in pushing its 2015 programme.”

Baleni said he could not give details of the resolution as the union wanted to engage Cosatu’s other affiliates on the matter.

It was also speculated that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) general secretary Silumko Nondwangu was ready to challenge Vavi, but his chances were dashed when Numsa publicly backed Vavi.

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 * From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A258702**