There must be unity in the tripartite alliance ahead of the local government elections, African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
”We must fight against ‘clique-alism’ and factionalism that can divide our movement,” Zuma told a Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) central committee meeting at Esselen Park, east of Johannesburg.
He said cliques and factions are a disease that can only be fought through open discussion.
”If we shy away [from open discussion] we fertilise the ground for gossips … this is a disease we need to fight resolutely because we need to be united for the elections.”
Zuma said the alliance needs to discuss how prepared it is for the elections, because only a united force can succeed.
The three partners — the ANC, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party — needs to work out their strategy well in advance because victory in the election, led by the ANC, will consolidate and deepen democracy.
Zuma, who has a strong following among Cosatu members, was loudly cheered and entertained by singing upon completing his speech.
Later in the day, Cosatu will formally launch the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust.
It is a collaborative effort between business, Cosatu and civil society to provide financial and moral support to Zuma before and during his upcoming corruption trial.
Zuma’s self-styled financial adviser Schabir Shaik was recently convicted of having a generally corrupt relationship with Zuma. — Sapa