COSATU warns against power-hungry politicians as parties mull proposals for govt of national unity

JOHANNESBURG - Union federation COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) has warned against power-hungry politicians as parties mull proposals for the government of national unity (GNU).

This week, the African National Congress (ANC) opted to rope in most parties that won seats in Parliament in a bid to constitute a government for the seventh administration.

The ANC’s proposal has been met with mixed reaction so far with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) threatening to ditch talks if the Democratic Alliance (DA) is part of the government of national unity.

COSATU said it would meet with the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the coming days to talk shop.

COSATU said it wants to meet with the tripartite alliance partners to discuss the modalities of the government of national unity before endorsing the plan.

The federation said it wants reassurance that the ANC’s proposal would take into account workable solutions to address the country’s socioeconomic challenges.

COSATU has also reiterated calls for a stable and coherent government, a clamp down on crime and corruption, job creation, protection of labour laws, relief, and a greater push for investment into SA.

It said that the government of national unity must avoid stomach politics and the rush for positions that have bedevilled coalitions in local government at the expense of service delivery.

The date for Parliament’s first sitting is yet to be announced.