by Mzee (TAAC)

At the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (Cosatu) media briefing on Thursday 21 November 2013, its president Sdumo Dlamini told a journalist that the federation is “yet to decide” whether or not to contribute financially toward the ANC’s 2014 election campaign. The briefing followed a Cosatu central executive committee (CEC) meeting.

But according to the Cosatu treasurer’s report, Cosatu budgeted R8 million for the 2014 ANC election campaign!

There seems to be disagreement between Cosatu affiliates over why the federation uses its members’ subscription fees to bankroll the ANC’s election campaign, while on the other hand pleading poverty when it comes to organising its own special national congress – as has been demanded by a majority of affiliates. Dlamini has used the issue of a lack of funds to put the special congress off. Dlamini also suspended Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi in 2013.

The National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) led the call for a special congress to discuss Cosatu policies and elect a new CEC. NUMSA has also publicly stated that it will withhold its R2 million contribution to the ANC’s campaign. Its treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo.said that “During previous elections, we would go to a company employing our members and get 8000 workers to vote for the ANC. We thought the ANC would have realised by now that our contribution is key.”

NUMSA feels the ANC has abandoned workers. It has been at loggerheads with the ruling party for implementing the neo-liberal National Development Plan (NDP), for e-tolling the roads and for planning a so-called youth wage subsidy.