The Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu)15th national congress descended into chaos on Monday, with its elective conference delayed after delegates refused to proceed without clarity on the suspension of First Deputy President Mike Shingange.
What was meant to be a smooth leadership transition at Gallagher Estate in Midrand turned into hours of a standoff, as affiliate unions blocked the adoption of credentials – the procedural step required to allow elections to proceed – demanding answers on Shingange’s membership status.
Shingange, the powerful former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) deputy president who was widely tipped to take over the reins of the federation, was reportedly suspended in recent weeks.
Cosatu has not issued any formal communication confirming or denying the suspension, fuelling rumours and anger on the congress floor.
The impasse has sparked fears that the entire elective conference could be delayed.
“Delegates said they could not allow the gathering to continue without clarity on the membership status of its first deputy president, Mike Shingange,” a senior delegate from NUM said.
“Trade unions affiliated to COSATU have been refusing to allow the congress to proceed, after the federation failed to clarify whether its first deputy president is on suspension.”
The tension forced Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi to intervene directly from the podium.
Losi, who is herself at the centre of a major leadership shift, told delegates that Shingange was physically present at congress in an attempt to calm the floor.
“Comrade Mike Shingane, the first deputy president of COSATU, is in congress. He is in congress,” Losi said.
But her assurance failed to satisfy delegates, who insisted on knowing whether Shingange had been placed on formal suspension and whether that affected his eligibility to contest or vote.
Shingange is backed by the NUM, his former union, to take over as Cosatu president.
The union has publicly endorsed him to succeed Losi, arguing that the federation needs a militant, shop-floor oriented leader to reclaim its influence in the Tripartite Alliance ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
His reported suspension, the details of which remain murky, is believed to stem from internal disputes over the federation’s political direction and its relationship with the ANC.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist, outgoing president Zingiswa Losi is not leaving the leadership altogether.
Insiders confirmed on Monday that Losi will contest for the powerful position of secretary-general – currently held by Solly Phetoe.
The move would see Losi, who has led Cosatu since 2018 as its first female president, shift from the ceremonial presidency to the engine room of the federation, where day-to-day organizational and political control lies.
Her candidacy has divided affiliates. Supporters say she has stabilised Cosatu after years of splits that saw Numsa and others break away, and that she has defended workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, public sector wage battles and the Eskom crisis.
Critics, including some within the NUM and Popcru, accuse her of being too close to the ANC leadership and failing to push a more aggressive left programme.
The Shingange row has now become intertwined with that battle.
Delegates loyal to Shingange suspect his suspension is an attempt to purge him before elections, clearing the way for Losi’s camp.
The congress, being held under the theme of refining Cosatu’s mandate and defending workers’ gains, was supposed to adopt resolutions on the cost of living crisis, the two-pot retirement system, National Health Insurance and the future of the Alliance.
The first day was consumed by credentials and the question of one man’s membership.
Cosatu, which remains the largest trade union federation in the country and a key ally of the ANC, has a history of fractious congresses.
Its 2015 special congress expelled Numsa, and its 2018 congress in Midrand was also marked by walkouts and credential disputes.
