Alliance partners in the ANC, SACP and Cosatu brushed aside any suggestions of a split in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, saying such talk had no substance.
Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini said the labour giant had no intention of leaving the ANC led alliance and would support the ruling party in next year's elections.
“We will go to Nongoma, Ulundi, Ngwavuma and Vryheid (all IFP controlled areas) in order to ensure that the ANC wins the elections,” said Dlamini.
Speaking at the conclusion of the SACP's Red October campaign he said the federation would ensure that the ruling party achieved clean sweep across the province.
“Let us all calm down, there is no one planning to leave,” said Dlamini in a veiled reference to the recently held civil society conference which many said was Cosatu's way of testing waters for the formation of a political party in future.
South African Communist Party (SACP) secretary general has Blade Nzimande warned party members against using the party membership to fight battles among themselves and alliance partners.
“We now have 110 000 members but we will not allow the party to be used to settle scores, we are not a refuge for aggrieved individuals,” said Nzimande.
Tensions have been one of the dominant features among partners in the past, especially in Pietermaritzburg leading to a near collapse of some municipalities.
While acknowledging problems within the alliance in Pietermaritzburg, Nzimande expressed confidence that ANC provincial chairperson Mkhize would ensure that all problems were solved in the provincial capital. Mkhize echoed Cosatu's sentiments dismissing suggestions of a split saying each of the partners needed each other ensuring effective service delivery in the country.
“The ANC cannot win by itself, it needs the assistance from its partners,” he said. Mkhize said Saturday's rally was an illustration of co-operation within the alliance because the rally was rescheduled to allow for an equally important cleansing ceremony taking place in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
The ceremony which will be graced by state president Jacob Zuma and Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini is aimed at healing the rift caused by political violence in KZN in the 1990s.