Cosatu Accuses ANC of Presiding Over Municipal Collapse

The Congress of South African Trade Unions accused the African National Congress of presiding over corruption and decay in local government during its national elective congress in Midrand. In a political report, the federation stated that most ANC-led municipalities are collapsing or on the brink of collapse, citing failing infrastructure and an inability to pay workers.

Cosatu expressed discontent over its exclusion from a business-government partnership for economic growth and criticized the ANC's track record. This friction coincides with the South African Communist Party registering to compete independently in the November 4 local government elections. Meanwhile, the National Treasury has withheld equitable share payments to 69 failing municipalities to enforce fiscal discipline.

Internally, Cosatu is managing leadership disputes regarding the eligibility of first deputy president Mike Shingange to contest the presidency. Shingange's candidacy is under dispute following a suspension by the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union.