Numsa booted out of Cosatu
The leadership of NUMSA announced the expulsion early on Saturday morning after voting was done.
National Union of Metalworkers in South Africa’s (NUMSA) expulsion from trade union federation COSATU was a “huge” setback, according to SA National Civic Organisation (SANCO).
“This development is a bitter and heavy pill to swallow, not only for the workers in COSATU, but the South African society at large,” said national spokesman Godfrey Nkosi.
“Millions of South Africans continue to pin their hopes and dreams on COSATU. The expulsion of NUMSA is indeed regrettable and unfortunate beyond comprehension.”
NUMSA was expelled during a special central executive committee sitting on Friday.
General secretary Irvin Jim confirmed the expulsion on Saturday.
“Yes, NUMSA has been expelled,” said Jim.
At its special congress in December, NUMSA decided not to support the ANC in the May general elections, which went against COSATU’s policy.
COSATU spokesman Patrick Craven said the meeting ran into the early hours of Saturday morning and we’re still trying to digest what happened.
CEC members voted on whether NUMSA should stay, with 33 votes for expulsion and 24 against it.
On Friday, Jim gave a presentation defending the union against possible expulsion from the COSATU. NUMSA went to court on Thursday to try and prevent its expulsion.
The case was postponed and the CEC meeting went ahead.
Nkosi said SANCO maintained its position that the struggle of workers in South Africa could only be won by a united and coherent Congress of SA Trade Unions.
“A divided and weak COSATU would transmit weaknesses to the broader congress movement and to the realisation of the national democratic revolution.
“SANCO believes that the federation has the necessary capacity to rise above the current challenges that threatens its unity and standing in society,” said Nkosi.
SANCO called on both NUMSA and COSATU structures to critically look at this development with an aim of finding a long term political solution.
“We strongly believe that the solution to this crisis lies in the hands of the leaders and the members of these organisations,” Nkosi said.
