COSATU 15th National Congress Adjourned Amid Internal Disputes and Leadership Divisions

MIDRAND, Gauteng — The COSATU 15th National Congress has been officially adjourned after internal disputes and a failure to reach a quorum brought proceedings to a halt on the second day. The labour federation now faces a critical 30-day window to resolve deep-seated leadership divisions, particularly concerning the credentials and presidential ambitions of Deputy President Mike Shingange, before reconvening the historic gathering.

The adjournment comes after seven affiliates refused to submit their delegate credentials, making it impossible to confirm the required quorum. COSATU leadership noted that proceeding without a proper quorum would have exposed the federation to significant legal challenges. According to the federation’s constitution, the congress must be reconvened within 30 days. Officials have indicated that when the congress resumes, the delegates present will be able to form a quorum to proceed, even if some affiliates do not return or submit their credentials.

The financial toll of the halt is substantial. COSATU representatives confirmed that no more than R12 million was spent on the initial convening, covering the venue, accommodation, catering, transportation, banners, and staffing. Matthew Parks, a spokesperson for COSATU, acknowledged the financial strain, noting that the federation relies on worker subscription fees and is not a wealthy organization. However, Parks emphasized that adjourning was the “least worst option” to prevent a disastrous collapse and to allow space for constructive engagement.

“The most important task here is to leave a COSATU which is united,” Parks stated. “If COSATU is divided, then it can’t defend the rights of police officers, farm workers, or any of our members. We would rather take a step back, breathe deeply, and come back from the precipice.”

At the heart of the impasse is a fierce internal power struggle involving Deputy President Mike Shingange, who is also the president of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU). Shingange recently signed a nomination form to contest the presidency of COSATU. However, NEHAWU General Secretary Zola Saphetha reportedly suspended Shingange, asserting that he defied the union’s directive not to contest the position. Shingange has pushed back against the suspension, arguing that the matter is internal to NEHAWU and maintaining that he was approached by several affiliates to stand and retains the support of NEHAWU’s rank-and-file members.

Tony Healy, CEO of Icon Labour Consultants, analyzed the impasse as fundamentally political, reflecting a broader dilemma within COSATU regarding its tripartite alliance. The federation is currently navigating the tensions between its traditional ally, the ANC, and the South African Communist Party (SACP), which has recently decided to contest elections independently.

Healy warned that the current factional battles could lead to a seismic shift within the labour movement. He noted that COSATU remains large enough to fragment into two sizable federations if the disputes are not resolved, drawing parallels to the historical split that saw the departure of NUMSA. Healy also highlighted that the intense politicization of trade unions has contributed to a decline in union density, which currently sits at approximately 23 percent, as federations risk taking their eye off core shop-floor issues.

Despite the tensions, COSATU leadership is downplaying the threat of a permanent fracture. The federation noted that while four affiliates initially attempted to hold a parallel media briefing, the event was subsequently canceled. Parks reiterated that this does not signal a fragmentation of the federation, but rather the messy reality of a democratic organization with over 1.5 million members.

Moving forward, the COSATU Central Executive Committee (CEC) will meet to address the outstanding credential issues and embark on the necessary constitutional, political, and logistical preparations for the reconvened congress. Leadership has also committed to exploring ways to reduce costs for the rescheduled event.

Ultimately, the federation faces the dual challenge of healing its internal wounds and refocusing its mandate on the socioeconomic issues affecting South African workers, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, and corruption. As Parks concluded, rushing a divided congress would only weaken the labour movement, making this painful pause a necessary step to ensure COSATU emerges united and capable of defending workers’ rights.