The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on Monday claimed its members have expressed "disgust" at being associated with the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).
"We wish to state that we supported for the expulsion of Numsa from the federation for violating the federation's policy positions and principles," Popcru general secretary Nkosinathi Theledi said in a statement.
Numsa was expelled from the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) by a vote of 33 for and 24 against, during a central executive committee meeting earlier this month. Cosatu had charged Numsa with violating the trade union federation's constitution.
Popcru said its decision was based on a mandate received from its 158,000 members.
"Our members further expressed their disgust at being associated with this union [Numsa] which made clear its intentions to break away from Cosatu and form a structure which would pursue principles opposed to those of the federation."
In December, Numsa resolved at its special national congress not to support the African National Congress during the general elections.
The union also was accused of poaching members from other Cosatu affiliates.
Theledi said Popcru believed Numsa had blatantly violated Cosatu's constitution and policies.
"The federation's constitution is very clear on what should happen to affiliates who commit such desecrations.
"We grew tired of the incessant insults hurled towards us and the Cosatu leadership by a fellow affiliate."
He said the police union was confident that the 350,000 Numsa members would not follow its leadership, but would remain in Cosatu.
Theledi urged Numsa's leadership to reverse the resolutions taken at its congress.
"There's always room for change and we are of the view that if the Numsa leadership truly value unity and the survival of the federation, then they can assist everybody by abiding by the Cosatu constitution and reclaiming their place within the federation."
Numsa has refused to go back on the resolutions.
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