Alison Raymond

The ANC has delivered its strongest criticism yet of Cosatu, accusing it of trying to undermine the party with opposition-style political attacks.

Workers at Telkom will strike on into next week after unions walked away from talks to end the latest in a round of damaging industrial disputes.

South African building workers began an indefinite strike on Wednesday that will halt work at stadiums for the 2010 World Cup.

Southern African leaders will speed up their efforts to help restore political order in Madagascar after talks on the island collapsed.

Cosatu on Thursday backed a call by metal workers for strikes to demand deeper interest-rate cuts.