Cosatu warns of ANC 'flirting' with the DA 'enemy'

Cosatu has rejected the idea of its alliance partner the ANC going into a grand coalition with the DA.

The trade union federation did not mince its words, describing John Steenhuisen's party as the antithesis of what it stands for and an enemy of workers.

Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe told TimesLIVE Premium despite not agreeing on a number of issues the historical reason it is in alliance with the ANC is the ability to influence policies that advance the agenda of workers.

“We will not be in a position to engage or agree to any political party coalition with the ANC and the DA. The DA is a racist political party, they have articulated their position against workers. 

“They've made statements saying when they are in power they will remove all the gains we have made in favour of workers from 1994, such as scrapping the minimum wage, reducing the salaries of public servants. Already they have submitted papers opposing the national health insurance, which is pro-workers and the people of South Africa.”

After 30 years of uninterrupted ANC rule, the party dropped to about 40% last week, largely due to the MK Party of former president Jacob Zuma surging to a shock victory in KwaZulu-Natal and ending the national elections on 15%.

Many of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s allies in the national executive committee are believed to prefer working with the DA while some are said to be unconvinced.

It is confirmed the two parties have established negotiation teams to take up talks, flirting with the idea of a coalition at national and provincial level.

The federation referred to the DA's campaign stunts, which included a march to its headquarters defending its economic policy position to scrap the minimum wage.

“They marched to Cosatu House on May 2 After the celebration of Workers' Day to demand the minimum wage be scrapped.

“For us, any political party which is going to take back the labour laws and worker rights in South Africa — we are not going to agree to.”

The federation believes the rumoured move would be a “betrayal”, having galvanised its membership and thrown its weight behind the ANC before the elections.

“If that is what the ANC may agree to at the end of the day, it will be a level of betrayal. As things stand, we don't believe it is true that the ANC will agree to a coalition with the DA. We are told there has been an engagement or talks, but the ANC has not agreed to that.”

However, the federation has committed to engaging on this matter to present a united front when they table their position to the ANC.

“When the ANC calls us we will be able to engage them and present our position. We are convening a Cosatu political commission to take a stance ahead of the establishment of a cabinet and formation of a government that will be able to deliver services to the people of South Africa.”

Phetoe said in the event that the ANC enters into a coalition with the DA it would be up to the federation and its affiliates to determine their participation in the alliance.

“It will have to be a decision taken by the entire congress, it will not be a decision of an individual or the national office bearers. It will be a discussion tabled by the entire membership of Cosatu to engage on a way forward.”

The federation is expected to meet its 16 affiliates on Wednesday to consolidate its views, following which it will approach the ANC.

“For now we can't say which parties we prefer the ANC to be in coalition with. Any political party which respects the rights of workers and have a manifesto of delivering similar objectives as the ANC, we can engage them.

“Anyone who comes with his own personal view and interests, we discourage publicly anyone who wants to challenge the outcome of the elections. We need to come together as South Africans to deal with service delivery in the country. We need to think around how we make sure that there is job creation and we need a government that will be able to improve the economy.”