ANC moves to heal union wars

THE ANC is helping Cosatu to get its house in order for next year's general elections amid concerns over independent unions.

The Sunday Times has established that a delegation of ANC leaders, led by the party's secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, has met Cosatu's biggest affiliates in preparations for the polls.

Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini said Mantashe met the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to help it in its turf war with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

It has also met metalworkers union Numsa.

The ANC believes that the weakening of the NUM and the divisions in Cosatu will lead to a loss of votes.

"It is normal [for the ANC to meet Cosatu affiliates]. It is what the ANC and SACP are supposed to do, particularly because we are going for elections next year. We need very strong unions and a very strong Cosatu," Dlamini said.

"Cosatu has got to help in the campaign for the ANC to win those elections decisively."

Dlamini said the ANC would help to heal divisions in the federation.

Cosatu is divided between two factions led by Dlamini and the federation's general- secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.

Vavi came out in support of the NUM this week in the clearest indication that the ANC and its allies are closing ranks in the run-up to the elections.

The NUM has been the federation's soft underbelly. It has lost support to Amcu in the platinum belt in North West.

The ANC and its partners are concerned that Amcu members will not vote for the party next year.

NUM secretary Frans Baleni said his union met the ANC last month to discuss problems in the platinum mines.

Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said the union met Mantashe's delegation two weeks ago. But, he said, the workers would not give the ANC a "blank cheque".

Dlamini said the federation would press the ANC to drop e-tolls and labour brokers.