Cosatu president contradicts Cosatu’s stance on Zuma stepping down
The labour federation asked the president to go, but Sdumo Dlamini wants 'his leader' to remain strong.
FILE PICTURE: Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini. Picture Nigel Sibanda
Glaring contradictions have emerged within the leadership of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) following its call for President Jacob Zuma to step down from office last week, after its president Sdumo Dlamini expressed the labour federation’s unwavering support for Zuma.
Speaking in Kliptown, Soweto, during celebrations for Zuma’s 75th birthday on Wednesday evening, Dlamini said workers affiliated to Cosatu wished him the best and were firmly behind his leadership.
“We wish you that in these hard‚ trying times‚ as a father‚ a husband and leader‚ remain strong‚” he said.
Dlamini added: “As you are my leader‚ and we tackle these issues‚ I need you to be strong.”
Last Tuesday, Cosatu called for Zuma to resign after a meeting of its central executive committee that said it no longer believed in his leadership abilities following his controversial midnight Cabinet reshuffle.
“Cosatu no longer believes that the president is the right person to unite and lead the movement, the alliance and the country.
“We think that, after all his undeniable contribution to both the movement and government, the time has arrived for him to step down and allow the country to be led forward by a new collective at government level,” Cosatu’s general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said at the time.
After its announcement, Dlamini said Zuma requested a meeting with Cosatu, saying he wished Zuma could have provided them with reasons for reshuffling his Cabinet before they went public asking him to step down.
Cosatu is the ANC’s biggest alliance partner.
So Sdumo Dlamini's Cosatu calls on Zuma to step down. Sdumo yena iSgudi snayis with the president. #zumabirthday
— El señor Jeferson (@jeffersohn) April 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/Sentletse/status/852174662415122432
Did Sdumo Dlamini just mantash on us?How do u say u want Zuma out and the next day tell him to be strong in these trying times?#ZumaBirthday
— Pelisa Cossie (@Pheli7812) April 12, 2017
@RediTlhabi Sdumo Dlamini has 'mantashed' us now, asserting that COSATU is behind JZ.
— Thabo Mosia (@mosiath) April 12, 2017
If one has to mention some of the useless politicians…. Sdumo Dlamini will always be in the list like Maine, Manyi, Mguptama etc
— FighterWithAttitude (@MaakeTopclassmt) April 7, 2017
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