Cosatu extends olive branch to rebellious Numsa

21 November 2014 - 02:21 By Hlengiwe Nhlabathi
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Cosatu president, Sdumo Dlamini. File photo
Cosatu president, Sdumo Dlamini. File photo
Image: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nicolene Olckers

Cosatu is reversing its decision to expel its rebellious metalworkers' union, Numsa.

The trade union federation's bosses yesterday announced that new talks would be held with the union to find a political solution to problems that have split Cosatu.

The climb-down came after Cosatu's top brass met ANC leaders and held a meeting of its central executive committee on Tuesday.

The ANC has called the expulsion of Numsa a "tragedy", which would weaken the ruling party and destabilise the labour market.

It appears Luthuli House might have convinced Cosatu House to extend the olive branch to Numsa, given the debilitating effects the expulsion was about to have on the ANC and the federation itself.

Cosatu's president, Sdumo Dlamini, and its general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, put on a show of unity yesterday after months of vicious fighting between them and their supporters.

"It's inconceivable that Cosatu can be without metalworkers. So we must continue to do everything possible. But Numsa has a responsibility to meet us halfway in the work that we do to ensure workers are united," said Dlamini.

Both leaders admitted that they had attended marathon meetings with Cosatu officials and the ruling party, but denied being ordered to shape up.

A meeting with former Cosatu leaders is set for tomorrow and another with the ANC on Monday.

Vavi, who seemed to be vacillating after writing a letter denouncing Numsa's expulsion, said engagement with affiliates and Numsa would start soon "with a view to discussing the meaning of expulsion and meaning of finding unity".

"You can't shave a man in his absence, that's why we say there has to be engagement with Numsa.

"There is a process and I'm totally committed to participate in it to ensure we build the unity of the federation."

The disciplinary charges that were reinstated against Vavi would also form part of the new negotiations.

The ANC held talks with Cosatu affiliates just before the May elections, but they failed to prevent the split.

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