Cosatu warns on forming new parties

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) was worried about individuals launching parties close to elections, KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Zet Luzipho said on Tuesday.

He was commenting after the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday dismissed with costs an application by Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) national chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi and three expelled IFP members.

Magwaza-Msibi, Nhlanhla Khawula, and Thokozani Zulu lodged papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in July challenging their expulsion and the legality of the current party leadership.

Magwaza-Msibi also wanted the court to order the party to hold its elective conference, which has been postponed six times since July last year.

“We note the court ruling against Mrs KaMagwaza Msibi. What we have to do is respect any decision she takes.

We are quite worried though about a common and not well thought out decision of forming a party for elections,” said Luzipho.

“Many others before her [Magwaza-Msibi] committed a similar mistake.” Bantu Holomisa and Ziba Jiyane were seen as an alternative but where were they today, he asked.

Holomisa formed a breakaway party, the United Democratic Front (UDM), from the African National Congress (ANC). Jiyane also formed his own party, the National Democratic Convention (Nadeco), after leaving the IFP.—Sapa