Security tight at federation ’ s congress
COSATU ’ S special congress kicked off yesterday amid tight security that kept a close eye on the movement of delegates and the media.
For the first time, Cosatu wanted everyone ’ s accreditation to be clearly displayed or they be kicked out of the congress room.
Unlike at previous congresses, there were two security checkpoints before entering the congress hall.
So tight was the security that Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini was spotted with three bodyguards most of the time.
However, the divisions among Cosatu ’ s affiliated unions were clear, with delegates expressing the differences through the songs they sang.
The federation’s two-day special national congress that started yesterday in Midrand was delayed for several hours, with Cosatu leaders claiming that transport union Satawu ’ s bus was delayed.
The Satawu delegates could not come into the hall because a mat- ter of suspended members was being heard in the Labour Court, and the suspended members wanted to be part of the congress.
The court ruled in their favour, saying their suspension was set aside and they could resume their duties. Soon after the ruling, Satawu delegates who support Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini stormed into the hall with excitement.
But the delay allowed delegates to sing – with police union Popcru leading attacks against expelled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. They accused Vavi of “liking breasts and women’s private parts”.
They were referring to his sex scandal with a junior employee while he was still the boss of the federation. Public service union Nehawu sang that they were going with Dlamini.
But the Food and Allied Workers Union, which supported Vavi and Numsa, sang that although it was difficult, it will push through.
As leaders were presenting their delegations during the discussion of credentials, Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa president Cedric Gina was barred from speaking by delegates who support Numsa.
The delegates rose in song as soon as Gina took the podium.
One member, allegedly from Satawu, who was ejected for being a bogus delegate, was redirected inside by security personnel and congress staff after the media asked him questions.
“There were two security checkpoints