Numsa blasts ANC 'parasites'

The National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) is going ahead with its plan to form a political party to challenge the ANC.

The union yesterday sustained its attack on the ANC, which it said had been captured by a few "filthy rich" black individuals represented by the party's deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

"A filthy rich, black and African tiny middle class, now politically represented by Cyril Ramaphosa ... is now leading the ANC. This parasitic black middle class now believes BEE can and does build a prosperous society," said Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim in Newtown, Johannesburg.

He said Numsa would not be transformed into a political party but would act as a catalyst for the formation of an organisation that would contest elections.

"Internally, in the ANC, doors are closed to any possibility for a radical transition; undemocratic practices have become the order of the day."

Jim said previous congresses of labour federation Cosatu had resolved that it initiate talks with a broad range of "progressive" social movements in an attempt to strengthen the working class and communities.

"What our detractors fear is the mighty power of the united working class, united and working together with their communities. We are forging ahead to implement a long-standing resolution of Cosatu to build a united front of social forces."

Numsa would defend its affiliation with Cosatu, Jim said.

The ANC, led by Ramaphosa and its deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte, this year advised against Numsa's expulsion from Cosatu.

At the centre of tensions in the ANC-led tripartite alliance is Numsa's belief that Cosatu has lost its ideological purity. The metalworkers' union hopes to capture control of Cosatu - through calling a special congress - and shift it to the left of the ANC and the SA Communist Party, both of which Numsa views as having succumbed to the "temptations of capitalism".

"The crisis in Cosatu today is in fact whether or not [it] should continue to be a socialist trade union federation or become a yellow capitalist federation," said Jim.