MIDRAND — The COSATU 15th National Congress at Gallagher Estate in Midrand faces an imminent collapse after the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) led a decisive charge to withdraw its credentials. This critical development threatens the federation’s ability to form the mandatory two-thirds quorum required to proceed with voting for new office bearers.
The NUM was not alone in its withdrawal. Several other major affiliates, including SAMWU, DENOSA, SACCAWU, SAMATU, SAEPU, and SASBO, also refused to submit their credentials to the gathering. Under established congress rules, delegations that do not provide their credentials are officially deemed absent, directly jeopardizing the viability of the event.
Proceedings, which were delayed until approximately 12:00 noon following unsuccessful attempts by current COSATU leadership to quiet the singing and dancing of delegates to get started, quickly hit a roadblock. The first item on the agenda was the formal announcement of the federation’s credentials, which immediately triggered the mass refusal by key affiliates.
At the heart of the NUM’s withdrawal is deep concern over the sudden suspension of COSATU First Deputy President Mike Shingange. Shingange was suspended by his home union, the NUM, in his capacity as its president just on the eve of the congress. Union representatives emphasized that in a democratic political process, the suspension of a nominated individual immediately before a major congress is a highly worrying factor. The NUM noted that after extensive engagements, it had previously made the formal decision to support Shingange’s bid to become president of the federation, making the last-minute suspension a direct disruption to democratic processes.
As of 4:00 p.m., the COSATU Congress remained in limbo and had not properly started. Union leaders were reportedly on an extended lunch break behind closed doors, engaging in urgent negotiations in a final attempt to revive the congress, resolve the credential disputes, and prevent a complete organizational collapse.
