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New leader ruffles Cosatu’s feathers

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David Sipunzi is understood to be leading a faction that is unhappy with Cosatu's expulsion of Zwelinzima Vavi and the metalworkers' union Numsa. Photo: eNCA/Xoli Mngambi
David Sipunzi is understood to be leading a faction that is unhappy with Cosatu's expulsion of Zwelinzima Vavi and the metalworkers' union Numsa. Photo: eNCA/Xoli Mngambi

The new general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is set to ruffle feathers in his quest for the reinstatement into labour federation Cosatu of the ousted Zwelinzima Vavi and metalworkers’ union Numsa.

David Sipunzi has already had a chat with Vavi, but he was quick to say it had merely been a courtesy call from the former Cosatu general secretary congratulating him on his new role.

Sipunzi’s radical views, which include his declaration that Cosatu members are not obliged to join the ANC, will not go down well with the faction that supports Sdumo Dlamini, president of the labour federation.

It has been plain sailing for the Dlamini faction since eight unions boycotted Cosatu’s central executive committee following Numsa’s expulsion. The eight unions are still deciding whether to attend Cosatu’s special national congress early next month. The arrival of Sipunzi will add a strong voice to the calls for the reinstatement of both Vavi and Numsa.

Under former general secretary Frans Baleni, the NUM was fully behind Dlamini and had been instrumental in the sacking of Vavi and behind the federation getting rid of Numsa.

But the election of Sipunzi has changed the game and could drastically alter the relationship between not only Cosatu and the mine workers’ union, but the greater alliance with the ANC.

Sipunzi seemed to rub Dlamini up the wrong way this week when he spoke out about his desire for the reinstatement of Vavi and Numsa, and that workers did not need to support the ANC-led tripartite alliance to be Cosatu members. Dlamini later told a daily newspaper that Sipunzi’s comments were “uncalled for and unfortunate”.

Sipunzi also sees no problem with having Numsa readmitted to Cosatu despite moves by the metalworkers’ union to form its own political movement that could challenge the ANC in next year’s local government elections.

“In Cosatu, we deal with labour issues and I don’t see why we should shut workers outside,” he said.

“It is not a prerequisite for people to support in any way or belong to the tripartite alliance for them to be members of Cosatu. My main concern and priority is workers, and I believe that’s what it should be for labour organisations.”

Apart from courting Vavi and Numsa, Sipunzi is also planning to enter into discussions with the NUM’s biggest rival – the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.

That union is led by Joseph Mathunjwa, a former NUM member who has also been outspoken against the ANC-led government.

“For me, Mathunjwa is a worker and we need each other. I would say to him: ‘You are a former NUM member expelled for this and that, and I don’t think our differences are beyond repair. Let’s unite our strengths and focus them on the employer and not each other,’” Sipunzi said.

Sipunzi was unapologetic about the comments he had been making. “I was duly elected to my position and I’m not going to mimic anyone,” he said.

He would also not speak about Dlamini’s reaction to his remarks, saying he would “rather reserve my comment because I have not yet met Sdumo”.

“I know a lot of people don’t like my statements, but they are made with the intention to unite workers and not to say Numsa is right or Cosatu leaders are right or wrong,” he said.

Piet Matosa, who has been elected president of the NUM and is supportive of the Dlamini faction, seems to be isolated because most of the newly elected officials of the NUM are firmly behind Sipunzi.

Asked how they were going to work together, Sipunzi said: “One of us will have to toe the line.”

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