Johannesburg - Cosatu has labelled the latest municipal coalitions between political parties as “anti- ANC” and is worried that the working class will emerge as the biggest losers.
The federation, which is in an alliance with the ANC, said on Thursday that the coalitions between the DA and smaller parties such as the UDM, COPE, FF-Plus and the IFP were not in the interest of the people and strengthening service delivery.
Cosatu spokesman Sizwe Paula said the parties were only agreeing to work together for their own “political reasons”.
“Most of these parties are using this process for their narrow political interests. This will, regrettably, also leave the country with big and strategic municipalities that cannot take a long term view, with regard to their work because the leadership does not have a clear mandate from the people and they are also not accountable,” he said.
Cosatu also accused the EFF of masking its agreement with the DA and going against it on policies.
This was after EFF leader Julius Malema said that his party would vote with the DA, but would remain in the opposition benches.
“The reality is that theirs is a coalition with a racist party of bosses. Their endorsement and support of the DA, amounts to an endorsement of economic corporatism that the DA represents,” said Pamla.
Cosatu warned that it would fight any attempts to victimise workers and reversing transformation policies.
“The ANC and the alliance need to strengthen their local structures and make sure that they mobilise communities in order to hold this unholy alliance accountable. We shall work to ensure that there is people centred development in all communities and that the poor are not forgotten,” said Pamla.
Labour Bureau