Decisions of the special COSATU Central Executive Committee (CEC) held on 7 November and 19 November 2014
We are forced to convene this press conference with a view to setting the record straight, following the distortion of the COSATU Special CEC decisions by some faceless individuals using some journalists. Information peddlers have gone out of their way to spread untruths about the fact that the COSATU Special CEC "reinstated the charges" against the COSATU General Secretary. Nothing can be further from the truth. The COSATU Special CEC took no such a decision.
For the record we wish to reiterate the statement issued by the COSATU National Office Bearers on the 14 November 2014 (see link below) following a series of discussions amongst themselves. This we are reading in order to help the public understand the context of yesterday's CEC discussion.
The Special CEC held on 7 November 2014 adjourned its session and decided to continue its deliberations on 19 November 2014, at which the CEC had a discussion on the current challenges facing the Federation.
The CEC agreed to leave no stone unturned in search of solutions to the differences that have arisen, with a view of ensuring the integrity of workers' unity under COSATU. All leaders of COSATU without exception have a responsibility to ensure that we do not fail in this historic mission. The CEC accepted this engagement; whilst it must be thoroughgoing it must be undertaken urgently to ensure that a new environment emerges.
Accordingly all the matters that were on the agenda will require an informal discussion amongst all the COSATU affiliated unions, which will culminate in a CEC to endorse a package of proposals emerging from this engagement. In this regard, the CEC agreed to allow the NOBs working with the ANC Task Team and the former COSATU leaders to develop proposals on how this engagement will be undertaken. The ANC Task Team is meeting the former COSATU leaders this Saturday, 22 November 2014, and will meet the COSATU NOBs on Monday or at worst on Tuesday to develop this roadmap for these discussions.
The CEC however did receive a report of the President regarding the call that has been made to convene a Special National Congress in line with the provisions of the constitution. The CEC endorsed the report, which includes working towards a date on which the congress will be held. This date will be finalised as part of the engagement we will embark upon.
Further the CEC discussed the status of the 2nd Deputy President and decided to confirm her status as the 2nd Deputy President in the light her seamless move from NUMSA to POPCRU where she was elected a shop steward. The CEC acknowledges that the COSATU constitution does not provide clarity in cases where a member/shop steward/ or union representative changes a workplace after their election into a COSATU office bearer position. This matter requires a discussion as part of the agreed to process so that considerations is given on whether the constitution should not be amended to provide the clarity.
The CEC agreed not to proceed with the 6th Central Committee scheduled for 24-26 November, as it will be counter-productive in the current state of affairs.
The NOBs reiterate the statement they issued on the 14 November 2014. We are calling for calm and a stop to public mud-slinging and insults that will undermine this process.
Statement issued by COSATU NOBs, November 20 2014
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