FACTS ABOUT KWAZULU NATAL COSATU STATEMENT ON NUMSA'S EXPULSION
11 November 2014
The story in the New Age of the 11th November 2014 titled ‘NUMSA axing backed' and ‘COSATU'S KwaZulu Natal branch expressed its support for the expulsion of the union', is a sign that media is very excited and do not want to see unity and cohesion in COSATU.
The fact of the matter is that this is a deliberate distortion. The news paper was approached and seemed to be acknowledging that the facts are twisted, this is what transpired in the discussions between the journalist and the Provincial Secretary of COSATU.
That the decision to Expel NUMSA was taken at the CEC, and the Province of COSATU in no way can change the decision of the CEC. The responsibility of Provinces is to operationalise the decisions of the higher structures regardless of their positions or views.
A point was also made that comrades must desist to set-up leadership of COSATU against one another, we have witnessed a serious attack directed to some leadership of the federation such as the President, while portraying others as the only leaders that can serve the best interest of our members. This is malicious, factional and divisive, it only seeks to turn members against some leaders of the federation and it can be regarded as a cheap mobilization strategy.
Debates and discussions are important for the development and growth of any organization, but once anyone becomes a member of the organization, the views of the individual are subordinated to those of the organization.
All unions of COSATU have rights to engage and take decisions but those decisions should not contravene the constitution, policies and resolutions of the umbrella organization. They should be subjected to the relevant platforms for lobbying and persuasion of others for them to become a policy of the organization, and we think this was the spirit of the Special CEC discussion on the matter in question.
Again KZN assures members of COSATU that in spite of all the challenges facing the federation, but as leadership of this federation we have an obligation to dedicate and commit ourselves to continue the good work our glorious federation COSATU has done, to fight for a National Minimum Wage, defend Vulnerable Workers, Fight for better Conditions of Service, Protect our members Rights including pension Fund, Defend our members from Victimisation, Fight for the conversion of Temporal Workers to Permanent Employment etc.
These are part of the aims and objectives of COSATU and this is what we are here for. It is our responsibility to continue provide ideological and political clarity to our members for the complete overhaul of capitalism as a system, and the building of the society where everyone can have a good living conditions and benefit in the economy of the country. Our members must know that they are still safe under COSATU.
Statement issued by COSATU KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary, Edwin Mkhize, November 11 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
