ANC tells Cosatu to butt out after calls for Zuma to quit

President Jacob Zuma File picture: Masi Losi

President Jacob Zuma File picture: Masi Losi

Published Nov 18, 2016

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Johannesburg - The ANC has condemned Cosatu affiliates for demanding that President Jacob Zuma resigns.

“The ANC does not meddle in the election of leadership of Cosatu and its affiliates, instead supports and works with whatever collectives elected,” said ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa on Friday.

Cosatu's largest union, Nehawu, and the Communication Workers Union have both called on Zuma to step down saying it's untenable for him to stay in the position.

Kodwa said the ruling party was currently engaged in an extensive organisational process to establish a common understanding of the problems of the movement amongst its structures.

“This we do so that, 'Through the eye of the needle', we may reach a collective appreciation on the nature of leadership required to take our organisation forward.

“Our alliance partners are expected to reinforce this strategic work of fostering unity amongst ANC structures and the alliance broadly. Members of Cosatu and its affiliates, in their capacity as members of the ANC, are therefore encouraged to participate in this process,” he said.

He warned that driving the movement into competing pronouncements about leadership preferences deviated the ANC's attention from building a collective understanding of witnesses to be done.

“We implore the Cosatu leadership to reign in their affiliates and assert an understanding that the succession debate of the ANC will be led by the ANC at a moment organisationally determined by the ANC,” Kodwa said.

Cosatu's central executive committee is meeting next week and some of its affiliates will demand that the ANC succession is discussed.

Labour Bureau

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